We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
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.
More Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes
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Politics have no relation to morals.
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There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
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A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
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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.
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There 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.
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Before all else, be armed.
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It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
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The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.
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The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
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No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
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But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.
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There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
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Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.
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Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
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I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
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Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
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Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
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The 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.
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Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
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Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
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The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
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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.
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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.
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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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI