Dinner With The Greats

What do you want to talk about? Influential people? That’s perfect, let’s talk about Henry David Thoreau and Niccolò Machiavelli. Both men are unfortunately not with us, but their writing still is. I like going out for dinner so let’s pretend that time machines exist and that I can have dinner with them. Just close your eyes…

Oh, good morning! Sorry you couldn't join us last night, it was an incredible experience. Do you have a minute? Great, I’ll tell you about the conversation.

First off, let me say that I think Thoreau was probably popular in high school. He’s a people person. He believes in power to the people. The government should make people’s lives better, not be an anchor dragging them down. On the flip side is Machiavelli. Machiavelli believes that leaders are entitled to do whatever is necessary to maintain power. It’s perfectly fine for rulers to be cruel and ruthless because that’s what helps them be successful. In his mind, exhibiting those traits is just part of the job.

I wanted to pick their brains so I asked questions about rebellion. I told the two gentlemen about Egypt’s revolution, and asked for their opinions on it. Thoreau was thoroughly thrilled. He said, “a minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority, but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.” Then he proceeded to express his pleasure in the Egyptian people’s drive and determination to change their situation. People can’t be afraid to take a stand, even if their opinion isn't the popular one. However, Machiavelli was not so happy. He told me he thought the Egyptian leader was weak. He quoted his writing when he said, “let the prince pretend to be whatever he needs to be--as long as he effectively maintains his position of power.” He concluded that the Egyptian leader had not been following that logic, which is why he was overthrown.

Later on I posed an ancient question; does the end justify the means? Just as before, I received two very distinct responses. He said, “power is the end or goal, and whatever means are necessary to acquire and preserve that power are entirely justified.” A well-maintained nation comes at a cost, but that cost allows the nation to be prosperous. Thoreau was pretty upset about Machiavelli’s opinion. He brought up the topic of slavery in America. The purpose of bringing in slaves was to increase productivity in American homes. However, while that’s all fine and pretty, that doesn't justify the enslavement of thousands of human beings. It was still unjust and wrong, no matter how prosperous it made America.

That dinner changed me. After I went home I sat for a long time reflecting on what Thoreau and Machiavelli had told me. On one hand, successful leaders are vital in maintaining a strong nation, but the happiness and well-being of the people has to be taken into account as well. What would really be successful is some sort of combination of the two. That made me truly consider the last thing Thoreau said, “is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government?”