URBANNA — I still remember reading the political theories of a 16th century Italian philosopher while in college in 1960. I was a sophomore at Randolph Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg studying political philosophy. As I read his ideas and my brain digested his meaning I noticed goosebumps spread out across my arms. They were not goosebumps from cold. They came from fear.
I had never heard of Niccolò Machiavelli until that moment as high school education in my day (and probably still not today) did not include political theory. Up to that moment I had no idea that there were evil, conniving, manipulative and devious people in the world that wanted to control others and govern their every move.
Yet, we all have run into “Machiavellian personalities” in life … those who are highly selfish, competitive and cunning and will manipulate, cheat and lie in order to win. Such people can be charming and pleasant and yet can turn into a bully and be willing to do most anything to get what they want. They don’t tolerate and they never compromise. They are the antithesis of our right to life, liberty and especially our revolutionary belief that every American has the right to the pursuit of happiness.
