Eli5 the Machiavelli quote “People, often deceived by an illusive good, desire their own ruin….”

Question

Eli5 the Machiavelli quote “People, often deceived by an illusive good, desire their own ruin….”

In: 1

Answer 1

He is saying that people often want something that seems like it’s a good thing, but is either:

* Unattainable, and therefore going to drive them crazy in pursuit of it.
* Not actually a good thing, and therefore going to cause them problems if they obtain it.

So, by wanting this thing, people are actually wanting something that is bad for them.