In 1513, Niccolò Machiavelli wrote Il Principe. In it he famously wrote a message (though not the words) that “The ends justify the means.” Here, in 2008, by a gross turn of phrase I am facing down a different reality: I am realizing that the meaning justifies “the End”s. While admitting that was a terrible pun, it is a terribly true statment … In recent days, I have been facing down a lot of ends. This evening, for example, I had my last RSD class. On the one hand, I am glad to be free of the various injuries and arguments it seemed to lead to; on the other, its odd to not be doing it after 6 months, to say nothing of just not seeing the people, even if they weren’t my favorite people in the world.
Much more affective is the other end of the spectrum—the people that are essentially my favorite in the world, my friends and family. I realize this sort of post becomes redundant at a point, but its still crazy.. The parties also are coming to an end. Seeing my friends at all is coming to an end. Granted, I already have new friends who I am looking forward to seeing more. Its a weird trade off though. My new friends will be neither better nor worse than my current friends, and yet they will, in a manner, usurp their position (Machiavelli would appreciate this). I truly hope to and plan to keep in touch with a lot of people here, some specific people especially .. and yet, it shall inevitably change.
At the same time, as I said, there is a meaning in all these ends, it means that I am really, truly headed off to college, headed off to MIT. And as I should be, I am excited. In 3 days, probably about 67 hours, I will be in Cambridge, MA. Things are falling into place for a new beginning in the midst of the ends. And I know that before long the number of beginnings will GREATLY overshadow the number and scope of the ends and ultimately I shall be fine. And yet, all the other lives shall go on without me.. shall progress, develop, hopefully prosper. It’s very strange.. I can’t focus on just my own progress.. I’m just not Maciavellian enough.
So, to all my friends that I am leaving here in Virginia Beach, to all of those off to Blacksburg, Baltimore, Fairfax, Charlottesville, or wherever, I wish truly wish you all the best. Lets us do our best to keep in touch!
~Donald
P.S. In other news: I saw my Freshman Advising Seminar assignement today: FASAP. ^_^.
5 comments ↓
Its not clear here .. but the title is (Machiavelli)^-1 .. as in .. Machiavelli Inverse .. it makes sense!
I just can't comment on these anymore. (A statement which I just disproved.)
*hugs* I think not wanting an end is part of the reason I’m making the worry hat…it’s giving me something to do instead of worry…and because of that, I didn’t take it to hokie camp.
(The title was clear enough for me to understand…but I think you should put the time of the post with the date at the top of the page)
it is so strange to say ‘i’ll see you tomorrow!’ when you know that you’re only going to be able to say that for two more days.
I just can't comment on these anymore. (A statement which I just disproved.)
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