“When evening has come, I return to my house and go into my study. At the door I take off my clothes of the day, covered with mud and mire, and I put on my regal and courtly garments; and decently reclothed, I enter the ancient courts of ancient men, where, received by them lovingly, I feed on the food that alone is mine and that I was born for. There I am not ashamed to speak with them and to ask them the reason for their actions; and they in their humanity reply to me. And for the space of four hours I feel no boredom, I forget every pain, I do not fear poverty, death does not frighten me. I deliver myself entirely to them.”
Analysis:
In this quote by Niccolo Machiavelli, he describes his routine of seeking solace and wisdom in books in his study after a long day. He metaphorically sheds his worldly concerns and adorns himself in "regal and courtly garments" before entering the world of ancient texts. Machiavelli finds comfort in conversing with these "ancient men" and seeking answers to life's questions from them. This passage highlights the transformative power of literature and intellectual pursuit in providing solace, wisdom, and escape from the struggles of everyday life. It also emphasizes the timeless value of engaging with the thoughts and ideas of those who came before us.
Modern Relevance:
In this quote by Niccolo Machiavelli, he describes the solace and enlightenment he finds in the company of ancient thinkers and philosophers. Today, we can still seek wisdom and guidance from the teachings of those who have come before us, whether it be through literature, philosophy, or other forms of knowledge. Taking the time to engage with the thoughts and ideas of the past can provide us with valuable insights and perspectives that can help us navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Example of Usage
In this passage, Niccolo Machiavelli describes his love for reading and the joy he finds in immersing himself in the ancient wisdom of books. He expresses how the act of reading allows him to escape from the worries and troubles of the world, and how he feels a sense of peace and fulfillment during those moments.
Reflection Questions
This quote by Niccolo Machiavelli depicts the transformative power of immersing oneself in the wisdom and knowledge of ancient texts. It highlights the sense of peace, intellectual stimulation, and freedom from worldly worries that can be found in the company of great thinkers. Reflecting on this passage, consider the following questions:
- When do you feel most at peace and intellectually stimulated? What activities or environments help you achieve this state of mind?
- How do ancient texts and philosophical teachings influence your perspective on life and the world around you?
- In what ways do you seek out wisdom and knowledge from historical figures or cultural traditions? How does this enrich your understanding of yourself and the world?
- How can the pursuit of intellectual growth and learning help alleviate boredom, fears, and anxieties in your life?
- Reflect on a time when engaging with profound ideas or philosophical concepts brought you a sense of fulfillment and purpose. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your daily life?
Take some time to ponder these questions and explore how you can incorporate the wisdom of the past into your present self-development journey.
Similar quotes
“When evening comes, I return home and go into my study. On the threshold I strip off my muddy, sweaty, workday clothes, and put on the robes of court and palace, and in this graver dress I enter the antique courts of the ancients and am welcomed by them, and there I taste the food that alone is mine, and for which I was born. And there I make bold to speak to them and ask the motives of their actions, and they, in their humanity, reply to me. And for the space of four hours I forget the world, remember no vexation, fear poverty no more, tremble no more at death: I pass indeed into their world.”
“When evening comes, I go back home, and go to my study. On the threshold I take off my work clothes, covered in mud and filth, and put on the clothes an ambassador would wear. Decently dressed, I enter the ancient courts of rulers who have long since died. There I am warmly welcomed, and I feed on the only food I find nourishing, and was born to savor. I am not ashamed to talk to them, and to ask them to explain their actions. And they, out of kindness, answer me. Four hours go by without my feeling any anxiety. I forget every worry. I am no longer afraid of poverty, or frightened of death. I live entirely through them.”
“I want men who will believe in Me, even when I do not protect them; I will not open the prison doors where My brethren are locked; I will not stay the murderous Red sickle or the imperial lions of Rome, I will not halt the Red hammer that batters down My tabernacle doors; I want My missionaries and martyrs to love Me in prison and death as I loved them in My own suffering. I never worked any miracles to save Myself! I will work few miracles even for My saints. Begone, Satan! Thou shalt not tempt the Lord, thy God.”
“I have come to accept myself for what I am: human. I am not perfect. I am not immune to fate, but I am not automatically doomed for being alive. I feel temptations every second of every day and I am not controlled by them. I do what I want anyway, so who is to say I want anything else? When I want, I let these peculiarities run across me like dogs to their masters. When I do not, I keep them at bay with my will and my testimony. I do not cut myself off from what makes me feel; I just refuse to feel anything that cuts me off from what matters most. It is called will power. With a little practice, you can accomplish great things.”
“Interacting with other people does not come naturally to me; it is a strain and requires effort, and since it does not come naturally I feel like I am not really myself when I make that effort. I feel fairly comfortable with my family, but even with them I sometimes feel the strain of not being alone.”