It is only through history that I can understand myself.

While researching for my term paper on Machiavelli I found this letter he sent to a friend (December 10, 1513).
This is during his forced exile after a stint in prison.

" I am at my farm; and, since my last misfortunes, have not been in Florence for twenty days. Irise with the sun,and go into a wood of mine that is being cut, where I remain two hours inspecting the work of the preivous day and conversing with the wood cutters, who have always some trouble on hand among themselves or with their neighbours. When I leave the wood , I proceed to a well and thence to the place which I use for snaring birds , with a book under my arm-Dante, or Petrarch, or one of the minor poets like Tibullus or Ovid. Iread the story of their passions, and let loves remind me of my own, which is a pleasant pastime for a while. Next I take the road,enter the inn door, talk with the passers by, inquire the news of neighbourhood, listen to variety of matters, and make note of the different tastes or humours of men.


Kim's mad lib version

I am at the TRAILER and, since my last misfortunes, have not been in VICTORIA for twenty days. I rise with the sun,and go into a OCEAN of mine that is being POLLUTED, where I remain two hours SURFING and conversing with the SURFERS OR PIRATES, who have always some trouble on hand among themselves or with their neighbours.When I leave the SURF , I proceed to aHOSE and thence to the place which I use for snaring FISH , with a book under my arm-LEMONTOV, BULGAKOV, or one of the minor poet like KAHLIL GIBRAN . I read the story of their passions, and let loves remind me of my own, which is a pleasant pastime for a while. Next I take the road,enter the inn door CRYSTAL COVE, talk with the passers by, inquire the news of neighbourhood WITH COWORKERS, listen to variety of matters, and make note of the different tastes or humours of men SATIRIZE GUESTS OR ENJOY THEIR RETURN.