In 1559 Machiavelli’s works were banned and his infamy was growing. Hurt by this, his grandson decided to seek, transcribe and publish his grandpa’s personal documents going back 60 years, hoping to clear his name. Some of them, like his famous “toilet seat letter” he heavily redacted [639×917]

You can see part of the “privy seat” letter above. The translation makes it pretty clear why the grandson decided to redact large parts of it:

>*Magnificent Sir, Ruler to be Most Respected: I was on the privy seat when your messenger came. and just then I was thinking of the absurdities of this world: I was giving all my attention to imagining for myself a preacher to my taste for the place at Florence, and he would be just what would please me, because in this I intend to be obstinate as in my other opinions- And because I never failed that city by not benefiting her when I could, if not with deeds, with words, if not with words, with gestures. I do not intend to fail her this time either. It is true that I know I am opposed, as in many other things, to the opinion of the citizens there: they would like a preacher who would show them the road to Paradise. and I should like to find one who would teach them the way to go to the house of the Devil; they would likee, besides, that he should be a man prudent, blameless, and true; and I should like to find one crazier than Ponzo, more crafty than Fra Girolamo, more of a hypocrite than Fra Alberto, because it would seem to me a fine thing and worthy of the goodness of these times, that all we have experienced in many friars should be experienced in one, because I believe the true way of going to Paradise would be to learn the road to Hell in order to avoid it. Seeing, besides this, how much credit a bad man has who conceals himself under the cloak of religion, I can easily conjecture how much of it a good man would have who in truth and not in pretense continued to tread muddy places like St. Francis. So since my fancy seemed to me good, I have planned to choose Rovaio, and I believe that if he is like his brothers and sisters, he will he just right. I should be glad if next time you write, you will give me your opinion.*

>*I continue in idleness here because I cannot carry out my commission until the general and the assessors are chosen, and I keep ruminating on how I can sow so much discord among them that either here or elsewhere they may start hitting each other with their sandals; and if I do not lose my wits I believe I am going to succeed; and I believe that the advice and help of Your Lordship would assist greatly. So if you would come as far as here, as a pleasure jaunt, it would not be a bad thing. or at least by writing suggest some master strokes; because if you once every day would send me a servant just for this purpose, as you have today you would do several good things: for one, you would give me light on some things quite to my purpose; for another. you would make me more esteemed by those in the house, seeing the messages come thick.*

>*And I can tell you that on the arrival of this arbalester with the letter, and making a bow down to the earth, and with his saying that he was sent specially and in haste, everybody rose up with so many signs of respect and such a noise that everything was honed upsidedown and I was asked by several about the news; and i, that its reputation might grow, said that the Emperor was expected at Trent, and that the Swiss had summoned new diets, and that the King of France wanted to go in person to speak with that king, but that his councilors advised him against it; so that they all stood with open mouths and with their caps in their hands; and while I write I have a circle of them around me and seeing me write at length they are astonished, and look on me as inspired and i, to make them wonder more, sometimes hold my pen still and swell up. and then they slaver at the mouth; but if they could see what I am writing, they would marvel at it more.*

>*Your Lordship knows that these friars say that when one is confirmed in grace, the Devil has no more power to tempt him. So I have no more fear that these friars will make me a hypocrite, because I believe I am very well confirmed. As to the lies of the Carpigiani, I should like a contest in that matter with all of them, because quite a while ago I trained myself in such a way that I do not need Francesco Martelli for a servant: for a long time I have not said what I believed, nor do I ever believe what I say and if indeed sometimes I do happen to tell the truth, I hide it among so many lies that it is hard to find.*

>*To that governor I did not speak, because having found lodgings, it seemed to me that to speak to him was useless. It is true that this morning in church I stared at him a bit, while he was standing to look at some paintings. His outside seemed to me well made, and I can believe that the whole corresponds to the part, and that he is what he seems, and that Telda is not crazy so that if I had had your letter with me, I should have made an attempt at drawing a bucketful out of him. Still not a thing has happened, and i expect tomorrow some advice from you on my affairs. and that you will send one of the same arbalesters, and that he will hurry and get here all sweaty, so that the household will be amazed; for by so doing you will bring me honor, and at the same time your arbalesters will get a little exercise, which for the horses on these spring days is very wholesome. I might write you some other things now. if i were willing to weary my fancy but I wish for tomorrow to keep it as fresh as I can. I send my regards to Your Lordship, and may you ever prosper as you desire.*

>*to Carpi, 17 May 1521. Your faithful Niccold Machiavelli, Ambassador to the Minor Friars.*

tld?dr he’s completely unleashing on his views on the church, and also setting up pranks while at work to mess with some annoying and nosy friars, hoping to “make them start beating eachother with the sandals”

Machiaveli you cos playing scoundrel