Summary of Erica Benner's Be Like the Fox

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 In 1475, Bartolommea went to church with her serving girl Nencia. She found her husband, Bernardo, in his study, studying Titus Livy’s histories of Rome. She told him that Nencia was with child, and that the father was their neighbor Nicolò di Alessandro Machiavelli.

#2 When dealing with people who are likely to lie, you should appeal to their self-interest. Most people care more about their own gains than about doing the decent thing.

#3 The sinews of a common human life are contracts, informal agreements, and reciprocal duties. They are the basis of any human relationship, and they play a large role in Bernardo’s daily life. He had inherited a few small farms outside the city, as well as a tavern in the village of Sant’ Andrea in Percussina, near San Casciano.

#4 The world that Niccolò grew up in was full of promises, and people depended on them to function. If they didn’t keep their promises, it was too risky to sell, buy or borrow anything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822528901

IRB Media

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Insights on Erica Benner's Be Like the Fox

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 14

Insights from Chapter 15

Insights from Chapter 16

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

In 1475, Bartolommea went to church with her serving girl Nencia. She found her husband, Bernardo, in his study, studying Titus Livy’s histories of Rome. She told him that Nencia was with child, and that the father was their neighbor Nicolò di Alessandro Machiavelli.

#2

When dealing with people who are likely to lie, you should appeal to their self-interest. Most people care more about their own gains than about doing the decent thing.

#3

The sinews of a common human life are contracts, informal agreements, and reciprocal duties. They are the basis of any human relationship, and they play a large role in Bernardo’s daily life. He had inherited a few small farms outside the city, as well as a tavern in the village of Sant’ Andrea in Percussina, near San Casciano.

#4

The world that Niccolò grew up in was full of promises, and people depended on them to function. If they didn’t keep their promises, it was too risky to sell, buy or borrow anything.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

Machiavelli’s father was a farmer who spent his time between his farms in Sant’ Andrea and steeped in Roman histories. His elder son would breathe new life into some of these names in his books.

#2

When dealing with men who are far more competitive than you, don’t sink to their level. Instead, make your own rules and play by them. You will end up as mindless as they are, and someone will eventually beat you.

#3

Education is more to Bernardo and Niccolò than a means to a career. They see it as a way to gain a reputation for being educated, while getting on with the more serious business of buying, selling, and cutting profitable deals.

#4

Niccolò eventually falls in love with the tradition of writing. He begins to respect his favorite ancients’ devotion to human welfare across time and space, and their desire not just to make a name for themselves while they live, but to leave something that will help others long after their death.

Insights from Chapter 3

#1

The city of Florence was ruled by a dynasty of leaders who had very different standards of conduct. The young duke and his wife came to visit the city, and their courtiers displayed no respect for others. They burned down a church during a show they put on, and many believed that God was