ABSTRACT
Machiavelli and his recent emulators can never be judged fairly unless we begin by making a distinction which they have neglected to make between the efficacy of means and the choice of ends: an 209omission which turns their honesty into a scandal. Their insight into the ways of the world is genuine; and it was honourable in them to face the facts, and to face obloquy in reporting them frankly. Yet it was a true scandal, born of their mixed moral education, Christian and pagan, to confuse the natural history of politics with rational government. It is an old trick. Nurses sometimes say: Little boys never do that; and the tempter will whisper: Have a cigarette. All the boys smoke. Both assertions are falsely generalised; but the subtle poison lies in the suggestion that what is done is right, and what is not done is wrong. This is a double non sequitur: and apart from logical scruples it is false morality, since much that is done is certainly wrong for its purpose, and much that is purposed is heartless or foolish in itself.
