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Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes


A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

Before all else, be armed.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.