In this space the topic of the resentment from the book by Gregorio Marañón, “Tiberius. History of a resentment”. To continue analyzing this topic that is present in social, economic and political action, we will now review the Italian philosopher Francesco de GuicciardiniHere are some notes published here and some additions to the current situation:
Several years ago, a contributor to EL DEBATE, Guadalupe Robles, published some quotes from the Italian philosopher Francesco de Guicciardini. That article led me to look for his texts. And, to read his book “History of Florence 1378-150”, published in Spanish by the Fondo de Cultura Económica. The prologue to this book mentions the following: “Contemporary of Machiavellihis “Recommendations and Warnings Concerning Public and Private Life” reflect an intellect attentive to reality, keen to instantly perceive the various changes of opinion and action, not indigested by abstract ideologies, free of all ecclesiastical mold, ready to receive the lessons of things and to draw a treasure from them.”
In the current times of political, governmental and social action, it is worth remembering some of the “Recommendations and Warnings Relating to Public and Private Life” which are, in turn, Guicciardini’s introduction to his book on the history of Florence. They must undoubtedly be a guide to be taken into account in all aspects of human life: social, political, economic, and even family. And, since the generalization of social networks and the legion of idiots (another Italian philosopher, Umberto Eco, said so) these recommendations must be transferred to the use of social networks by girls, boys, adolescents, women and men. Above all, to the publications that are made there. Here are some of Guicciardini’s recommendations and warnings:
Of recommendations and warnings
In the citations, the numbers of each recommendation and warning are left so that when you want to look for them in the book they are easily identifiable:
“17. Do not believe those who claim to have left politics and pomp of their own free will and for the love of tranquility, because almost always this was due to frivolity or necessity; for this reason we discover almost every day that almost all of them, as soon as a crack opens up for them through which they can return to the life of before, abandon the much vaunted tranquility and rush into it with the same impetus as fire when it is set on things that are well oiled and dry.”
“24. There is nothing more fragile and transitory than the memory of benefits received; therefore, it is better to rely on people who are so attached to you that they cannot free themselves than on those you have favored, because these people often either do not remember, or they think that the favors received are a small thing, or even think that you granted them because it was your duty.”
“27. With regard to people of doubtful loyalty, true and well-founded security consists in keeping them in a position where they cannot harm you, even if they want to; security founded on the good will and discernment of others is deceptive, if one takes into account the fact that goodness and loyalty are very rare among men.”
Paragraphs: Recommendations and warnings
“22. It is often said: if one had acted or had not acted in that way, such a thing would or would not have been achieved. Well, if one could really make that comparison, one would see that this opinion is totally false.”
“25. Beware of doing men those favors which cannot be granted without causing equivalent harm to others; for the injured party does not forget and rather judges the harm received to be more serious than it really is, while the recipient of the favor forgets it or considers that he has been benefited less than he has been in reality; therefore, all other circumstances being equal, by such favors you lose much more than you gain.”
To you, dear readers, accommodate these sentences from Guicciardini in your daily life.
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