Art Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

In war, discipline can do more than fury.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Present wars impoverish the lords that win as much as those that lose.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Few men are brave by nature, but good discipline and experience make many so.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“And the first cause of your losing it is to neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire a state is…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Necessities can be many, but the one that is stronger is that which constrains you to win or to die.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Without doubt, ferocious and disordered men are much weaker than timid and ordered ones. For order chases fear from men and disorder…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

If someone puts up the argument that King Louis gave the Romagna to Pope Alexander, and the kingdom of Naples to Spain,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prudent man... must behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against;…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

In the armies and among every ten men there is one of more life, of more heart, or at least of more…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and live with integrity, and not with astuteness, every one knows.…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

From the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

We must distinguish between those who depend on others, that is between those who to achieve their purposes can force the issue…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince must not have any objective nor any thought, nor take up any art, other than the art of war and…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The people resemble a wild beast, which, naturally fierce and accustomed to live in the woods, has been brought up, as it…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A battle that you win cancels any other bad action of yours. In the same way, by losing one, all the good…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

— Niccolo Machiavelli