| Letter
Machiavelli to Francesco Guicciardini
May 17, 1521 |
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| Even as I am
writing I have a circle of these friars around me. They marvel and gaze at me as if
I were inspired. I, to make them marvel more, sometimes pause writing and breathe
deeply. They absolutely begin drooling. If they knew that I was writing to
you, the Lord of Mantua and Reggio, they would marvel all the more. Your lordship
knows that these friars say that when one is in the state of grace, the devil no longer
has power to tempt. Well, I have no fear that these friars will infect me with their
hypocrisy! As for the lies of these citizens of Carpi, I can beat them all. I have long been a doctor of the art. For some time now I have never said what I believe or never believed what I said. If sometimes I have told the truth, I hide it among so many lies that it is hard to find. |
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