... the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it

... the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it

Niccolò Machiavelli, the renowned Italian philosopher and political theorist, was a firm believer in the idea that mankind is inherently skeptical of new ideas until they have been proven through experience. This concept is evident in many of Machiavelli's works, particularly in his seminal work, "The Prince."

In "The Prince," Machiavelli explores the nature of power and the ways in which rulers can maintain and expand their authority. One of the key themes of the book is the idea that people are naturally resistant to change and are often unwilling to accept new ideas or ways of thinking until they have seen evidence of their effectiveness. Machiavelli argues that in order to be successful, a ruler must be willing to embrace new strategies and tactics, even if they go against conventional wisdom.

Machiavelli's belief in the incredulity of mankind is also reflected in his views on human nature. He famously wrote that "men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions." This statement underscores Machiavelli's belief that people are easily swayed by their own desires and are often willing to believe in things that are not true if it serves their own interests.

Furthermore, Machiavelli's own experiences as a diplomat and political advisor undoubtedly shaped his views on the nature of mankind. He witnessed firsthand the ways in which rulers manipulated their subjects and used deception to achieve their goals. This firsthand experience likely reinforced his belief that people are naturally skeptical of new ideas and are only willing to accept them once they have seen evidence of their effectiveness.