Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThe first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
More Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes
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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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Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
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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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Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
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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 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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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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We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
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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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It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.
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There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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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.
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The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
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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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A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI