Machiavelli: On the Disguises of Leadership

​"This last quality, piety, is the most important for a leader to appear to possess, as men—in general—judge more from appearances than from reality.  … All men have eyes but few have the gift of penetration.

​"Everyone sees your exterior, but few can discern what you have in your heart."

Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter XVIII

From Ida M. Tarbell's "John D. Rockefeller Sr.: A Character Study," 1905

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Scary, but unfortunately true. My best friends are those who use their eyes to truly see me and then share what they see. It isn't always easy to hear, but the "penetrating" perspective is always the most profitable when shared by one close to you with love, tenderness and care.

​True friends have eyes that "see you" with the "gift of penetration" and then share their thoughts "out of love."

Peter E. Greulich, Putting a Machiavellian idea into positive practice