At the Poker Table

Apropos of Machiavelli...
His The Prince1 can be compared to a set of advice
given to the gang leader by a cardsharper,
who absorbed somewhat of a historical literature in the library.

... In short: the macher advises the godfather,

that a cold mind, a steady hand and bluff skills
are needed to maintain power.

A good leader should not be losing, so it's best

if the deck on the card table belongs to him -
Niccolo convinces. The stakes should be impressive;
good also, when other players and supporters
are on our side.

When the game is unsuccessful,

the prince may overturn a table, but only once:
it is best to dump responsibility then
on a rotted piece of furniture - the Italian fox persuades. He guarantees,
that thanks to his advice, every ambitious and influential player
will steer on the river of power confidently,
from the casino to the casino.

How to win in them

I will write succinctly in the next episode - about chess,
or Montesquieu.

MMXVIII

1 The Prince, 16th-century political study by Niccolo Machiavelli (published in 1532); a short treatise on
how to acquire power, create a state, and keep it.