follow the tracks...

follow the tracks
photo by Lee Keefer

"Men nearly always follow the tracks
made by others and proceed
in their affairs by imitation,
even though they cannot entirely
keep to the tracks of others
or emulate the prowess of their models.
So a prudent man should always
follow in the footsteps of great men
and imitate those who have been outstanding.
If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs,
at least it has an air of greatness about it.
He should behave like those archers who,
if they are skilful,
when the target seems too distant,
know the capabilities of their bow
and aim a good deal higher
| than their objective,
not in order to shoot so high
but so that by aiming high
they can reach the target."
- Niccolo Machiavelli