The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThere 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.
More Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes
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Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
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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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Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense.
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Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.
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The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
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One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
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Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
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The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned.
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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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If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
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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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So that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared.
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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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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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI