The five questions a Machiavellian asks

from Elemental Forums

Just so you guys know, on a scale of 1-100 of machiavellianism i'm a 75; i actually took a voluntary test. if you want to take the test as well the address is:

http://www.salon.com/books/it/1999/09/13/machtest/

My sister got a 62...i just took it again and got a 77

 

anyway the five you should ask yourself if you are a true machiavellian is; why? what do i or my party get out of this? what does the other party get out of this? what is the best case scenario? And what is the worst case scenario?

 

Analogy:

A good friend yours asks if you will co-sign with him so can get a new car.

Before you say Yes or No ask yourself the five questions.

1.) Why does he want to ask me to co-sign?(A: so he can get a new car and because he can't get one for he has bad credit)

2.) What do i get out of this (A: nothing...really)

3.) What does he get out of this (A: a new car)

4.) What is the best case scenario (A: he makes good on his payments and you have nothing to worry)

5.) What is the worst case scenario (A: he leaves you with the bill, smudged credit and a lost friendship)

In short...Never co-sign with anyone!!!

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31,701 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I had to read up on what it means to co-sign anything before replying.

A friend isn't much of a friend, or is a foolish friend (note: potential victim) if they ask you to co-sign anything. The bank doesn't think your friend can pay for it, so the bank asked him to find someone to co-sign for it (someone who could pay it back). He might as well be trying to get the money from you at knife point. You are likely to have to pay for the whole thing, while dealing with the smudged credit rating. Your friendship would be ruined much like it would have been had your friend robbed you.

The moral of the story is: Don't co-sign anything, but don't be against the idea of offering the required money (in cash) as a "GIFT". Use it to gain a favour as it might be a good investment (don't expect cash back though). Alternatively, you could use it to buy his services (if you think he has skills you think is worth you money).

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

91

Hovever, i'm not sure if that number says anything. Say, i strongly agree that "It is wise to flatter important people." But i don't do it. In other words, i think that Machiavelli is mostly right, but i prefer to live like i want, not in the technically most optimal way.

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Yeah, knowing you're a dumbass when you loan a friend money, and not lending it to start with are two different things...

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

I got a score of 55.  Sounds about right for me. 

 

 

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Huh, just took that test.

....

The Machiavelli personality test has a range of 0-100

Your Machiavelli score is: 88

"high Mach", you endorse Machiavelli's opinions.

Most people fall somewhere in the middle, but there's a significant minority at either extreme.

....

Wow, that was unexpected. I answered everything with what I actually do and live by, not just beleive.

Machiavelli, ftw.

 

:cylon: