Identity Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli
““The gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done learns the way to self-destruction rather than self-preservation.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Prince, 1532
The gap between ideal conduct and actual behavior leads to self‑destruction if one neglects reality for ideals.
In simple terms: Ignoring real actions in favor of ideals can destroy you.
Key Takeaway
Balance ideals with reality.
Themes
ethics
self‑destruction
idealism
pragmatism
Mood
cautionary
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- personal goal setting
- policy making
- social reform
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal ideals with everyday actions?
- When does compromise become betrayal of self?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on ideals may cause paralysis; practical compromise is also needed.
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
