Week 7 post

                For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither have any knowledge, nor do I much desire it: they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess. And among the ministers of princes, there are none that are not so wise as to need no assistance, or at least that do not think themselves so wise that they because need none; and if they court any, it is only those for whom the prince has much personal favor, whom by their fawning’s and flatteries they endeavor to fix to their own interests: and indeed Nature has so made us that we all love to be flattered, and to please ourselves with our own notions.

 In this passage Sir Thomas & Peter discover that Raphael is a wise man from the things he learns for his travels. He tells stories about his philosophy on how the country should be ran. Because of Raphael wise outlook on life they suggest that he become a consoler or ad-visor to the king. Raphael explains that this is no use because they way that kings think, and that they truly lack interests in the people they rule.

 The first line of the passage “For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace” Raphael explains that royalty of the current government, and royalty of previous history are so ambitious and mind set on conquering that they miss the big picture of the land they are currently ruling. They focus on conquering lands and expanding instead of expanding the wealth and peace of amongst poor people. Raphael explains that he has no interest in war and that is not familiar with it, mainly because he doesn’t agree with it. The text suggests and claims that kings focus on war and getting new kingdoms then taking care of the kingdom that they already have. “Among the ministers of princes, there are none that are not so wise as to need no assistance” This explains that many to most kings don’t search for guidance for ego purposes, or that they consider themselves to wise to listen to anyone other than themselves, and thank they will always look to themselves to solves them. This places a self-centered personally on the kings image, stating they truly only care about themselves. It goes as far to explain that we all have some short of personality defect due to lack of self-self-evaluation. We all Seek clearance from people we want to be accepted by society and that we will go to the ends of earth for so we will do what we must to revel appeal with appeal.