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 MACHIAVELLIThe 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 MACHIAVELLIOne who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIWar 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 MACHIAVELLIThe promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIIt is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLINever was anything great achieved without danger.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIOne change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIHe who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIThe first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIBefore all else, be armed.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIWhen 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 MACHIAVELLIMen rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIPolitics have no relation to morals.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIGod is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
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.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLIHence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI