46. Do or Do Not, There is No Try

While Machiavelli himself might not have penned these exact words, the sentiment echoes his ethos of pragmatic, if not ruthless, pragmatism. In a world brimming with bureaucratic red tape and the perpetual hesitance of decision-makers, this phrase champions the bold, the doers, and the slightly reckless.

It’s an encouragement to choose action over inaction, a nod to the idea that progress often requires stepping outside the boundaries of formal approval. The enduring charm of this quote lies not in its encouragement of heedlessness but in its celebration of initiative and the willingness to navigate the consequences.