He who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, while he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself.

He who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, while he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself. – Niccolò Machiavelli

This man was not neutral, he took a stand. He also paid the price for his renown.

What does that mean?
This is part of a longer Twitter-friendly quote: “Thus it will always happen that he who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, whilst he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself with arms.” This is from Chapter 21, where he discusses his ideas on how a Prince might gain renown.

It comes after a brief example of a war between Rome and the Aetoleans, and how a third party, the Achaeans, are being asked to participate. Rome wants them to take up arms, while the Aetoleans want them to remain neutral in the war.

The point was that if you are neutral, you will be at the mercy of the victor no matter who wins. If you are active, win or lose, the party with whom you are allied owes you something, and you will be better off for having taken a side.

The advice given is very pragmatic and practical. I believe it is still practical in today’s world of caution and correctness. Everyone wants to be neutral, to stay out of it. But that’s now how one gains renown. Whether they think you’re brilliant or an idiot, they will know you are someone, not just another drone who plays it safe.

Why is standing out important?  
Standing out can be a good thing, if one is looking to be recognized. It might not be recommended if your government is cracking down on those who stand out and stand against it. Unless you are truly looking to stand out, like many martyrs and heroes have done through the ages. Just do me a favor and think about it before you do anything too stupid. Thanks.

In English, someone who stands out as a great example is often referred to as being outstanding, or outstanding in their field of endeavor. People who stand out as great examples are noticed. If they can keep it up for a length of time, they gain renown.

People who stand up for what they believe is right, people who speak their mind, people who help others, people who advance human knowledge, people who advance the human spirit, all gain renown. Some gain renown among their friends and family, others become names the whole world recognizes.

Regardless of their popularity and how widespread their fame, being worthy of renown is a worthy goal for all of us. Taking a stand for your side and holding firm for what you believe takes courage. But it is what people of passion do, and it is often what must be done.

Where can I apply this in my life?
Well, that depends on how bold you are, how willing you are to gain renown as a person who stands for something. The next step is to listen to your friends, paying close attention to whether they ask for you assistance, or ask for your neutrality.

Per the quote, that should give you a hint as to where you stand in the fight. But remember, there will be some who wish you to stay out of it, worried about your safety, reputation, or honor. After all, they are only looking out for you, right?

So, what are the issues or actions you are not taking, because you have decided that you will be neutral? Grab some paper and write down a few of them. Include those issues or actions which you are afraid to take on, and those where you are concerned about what others might think about you.

Also include those issues or actions which you are doing only in half-measure because of your concern about being noticed, or offending others with whom you are friends. With a list of at least a few things, take a moment and think about each one.

Which are you avoiding or just barely doing because of fear of what others will think? Now take a moment and consider what they might already be thinking of you due to your timidity. As a Chicago Cubs fan, there are a lot of people who look at me like I’m nuts, but they respect my love for my team, even if they root for a different team.

Might that apply to your situation? Would the people who are important to you still care about you if you take a stand? Will it matter at all, will they respect you for taking a stand, or will they revile you for the side you have chosen?

My personal opinion is that life is too short to live the life someone else wants of you. However, only you can weigh the impact of rejection on your life, your emotions, your spirit, and your ability to function. The more independent you are, the easier it is to tell them to go away if they don’t like it, so independence might be a good first step.

Whether you’re looking for renown, or just the courage to stand for what you believe in, you can always start with small steps. Take safe steps at first. It might help to talk to your family and friends, but realize that they might be just as concerned about alienating you as you are of them.

As you practice standing out, or at least taking a stand, you can start working up to bigger, and perhaps more controversial, issues. The final question is how far do you want to go, how much renown are you interested in achieving? Note that the issue is not trying to achieve renown for the sake of renown, but for becoming renowned by taking a stand and standing out.

From: Twitter, @DeanClancy
confirmed at : http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince21.htm middle of 4th paragraph
Photo by U.S. Embassy New Delhi