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The despots of Italy were, in fact, in the Greek sense, tyrants, and Machiavelli did little more than say so. What gives him his importance is that what was true of the small despots of Italy was going to become true of the national monarchs of Europe.
— John Neville Figgis
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The despots of Italy were, in fact, in the Greek sense, tyrants, and Machiavelli did little more than say so. What gives him his importance is that what was true of the small despots of Italy was going to become true of the national monarchs of Europe." in the context of "p. 85" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "John Neville Figgis" (Quotes, Studies of Political Thought from Gershon to Grotius, 1414–1625 (1907), Lecture III. Luther and Machiavelli)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About John Neville Figgis
John Neville Figgis (2 October 1866 – 13 April 1919) was an English historian, political philosopher, and Anglican priest and monk. He is known as the editor of much of Lord Acton's writings.
About John Neville Figgis
John Neville Figgis (2 October 1866 – 13 April 1919) was an English historian, political philosopher, and Anglican priest and monk. He is known as the editor of much of Lord Acton's writings.
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