Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it. He should behave like those archers who, if they are skilful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.
Summary
This quote suggests that individuals tend to imitate and follow the paths of others in their endeavors, even though they may not achieve the same level of success. It advises a prudent person to emulate great individuals who have stood out, even if they cannot match their greatness. By behaving like skilled archers who aim higher than their target, individuals can increase their chances of reaching their goals, even if they fall short. The quote implies that by aiming for greatness, one can still achieve noteworthy accomplishments, even if they do not reach the same level as their role models.
Topics
Imitation
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