In general Machiavelli uses luck to refer to all those circumstances that human beings cannot control. Whether luck obeyed the will of God or was simply an impersonal natural force was a matter of debate throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. However, nowhere in The Prince is there an indication that one should seek to transcend luck; rather, one must face it head-on and bend it, if possible, to one's will. The Prince reads like a political manual on how to succeed. In his book, he educates his reading audience on the ways and means of having absolute dominion over others. He suggests that any new prince who successfully follows the advice contained in The Prince will enjoy the stability of a crown prince, as men are more aware of the present than of the past. Knowing the past has relevance not only for theoretical awareness but also for practical applications. Furthermore, knowing the past helps to anticipate the future. Machiavelli does not hesitate to complain that even politicians and analysts ignore him