I've read "The Prince," and I must say, he has no doubt earned all of my respect. He is easily a must read for anyone who wants to know how to rule the world. No lie, though - the book is definitely a different kind of reading and you have to be patient in looking up a lot of end notes to get a better understanding of what he means. You also have to keep in mind of the time in which he wrote the book.

"When ills are recognized in advance (and only the prudent can do this), they are quickly cured. But when, having gone unrecognized, they are allowed to increase until everyone may recognize them, then remedy is no longer possible."

This is beyond the truth. Look at drug and alcohol habits. When those who abuse drugs and alcohol get to the point they can't stop and start doing ignorant stuff to get it, it's almost too late to fix their situations. Cancer is another good example. When cancerous cells are diagnosed early, there is a higher chance to rid the cancer than when the patient's life starts to degrade.

In relationships, this is a concept that should be well put to use. Once a particular problem occurs repetitiously, it needs to be quelled before getting out of hand. The most common being lack of communication. If you've been with someone for a year or so and some things still cause you to be unhappy, more than likely, it's only going to get worse over time if you do not do something to rectify the situation.

Niccolo also has a line saying...

"Minds are of three kinds: one is capable of thinking for itself; another is able to understand the thinking of others; and a third can neither think for itself nor understand the thinking of others."

I have a mind that thinks for itself. I feel I am an extremely logical, rational and objective thinker. Others, though, tend to do more following. Television and peers dictate their decisions. And sometimes it's fantastical ideaology such as what it means to love someone that determines what people do. Not always are your friends right about how you should handle your relationship, being they're not in it; never does happy endings happen as happy as the soaps; and not always is love going to conquer, especially when there is a communications breakdown.

It is those minds that don't think for themselves that get hurt the quickest and easiest. Those are also the ones who fill drone-like jobs instead of starting their own businesses and being the thinker. There is nothing wrong with them, other than sometimes they make bad decisions because of the status quo.

But it is the third mind that hurts everyone. These are the ones who not only can't figure out life, you can't help them because they just don't understand. They don't understand violence isn't an answer to anything but acquittals to guilty boys. They can't comprehend not wearing the little rubber bags can lead to rubber gloves ending the life of an innocent child.

It doesn't sound like "The Prince" was about conquering the world, huh? Actually, it kind of wasn't. The book is about what a prince should do in order to remain the prince. The book uses numerous examples in history to support its points and clearly goes over every question and situation that can come up. Using these concepts and applying them to today's situations, one can learn how to be a better person through this book.

The last line I want to mention is...

"Without an opportunity, their abilities would have been wasted, and without their abilities, the opportunity would have arisen in vain."

This line may take a minute to digest. Pretty much, there are a lot of people out there with skills and talent. There are people who have hidden talents or are a type of person you wouldn't expect them to be. But these people sometimes are neglected the chance to show this talent. The way the world works, there are a myriad of people who go undiscovered because of lack of opportunity.

It's just the way the world is. Many college students and of course every other person on this planet can relate in the sense of a crush they had in high school of someone who paid them no attention. Inside, you just knew you were the one for this person, but you just couldn't get that yes.

But then, there are the times when they get their chance and they shine. These are people who keep themselves sharp for that moment so when opportunity knocks, they are on their way to the limelight. If they weren't honing their skills, that moment of truth would have been just a lost moment.