No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLINo enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLITardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIFor among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIBenefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIBenefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIOf mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThere are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIPolitics have no relation to morals.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThe fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIHis 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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIWar should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIIt 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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIMen are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThe wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIMen should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries – for heavy ones they cannot.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIMen shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI