A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIGod is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
More Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes
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Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
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So that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared.
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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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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.
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War 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.
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There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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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.
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Benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.
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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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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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We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
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A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.
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Before all else, be armed.
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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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Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI