Let NO ONE marvel if in speaking of new dominions
(ideas)both as to prince and state (mentality) I bring forward very exalted
instances, for "men" walk almost always in the paths trodden by
others, proceeding in their actions by imitations. Not being always able to follow others exactly, nor attain to the excellence of those he imitates, a prudent man
should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are
most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate
he will get some tinge of it. He will do as prudent archers, who when the place
they wish to hit is too far off, knowing how far their bow with carry, aim at a
spot much higher than the one they wish to hit, not in order to reach this
height with their arrow, but by help of this high aim to hit the spot they wish
to.
Excerpted from: Machiavelli, The Prince
