To win such a precious commodity as popularity, one must do what the clever courtiers did for Caesars and kings. One must give advice that causes pleasure, and the advice that pleases us is that which tickles our weaknesses; it is bad advice.” Written with as much seriousness as irony, this work, first published in 1884, carries with it, on the wings of its brilliant style full of contrasts, a sharp psychological study of the political leadership of masses, of politics based on suffrage.