To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThe one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.
More Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes
-
-
But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The 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 MACHIAVELLI -
This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Men 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 MACHIAVELLI -
Benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws and good arms you cannot have good laws without good arms, and where there are good arms, good laws inevitably follow.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI -
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI