Men Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

“It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

For this is the tragedy of man circumstances change, but he does not.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For without invention, no one was ever a great man in his own trade.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Any harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men ought either to be well treated, or crushed.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The wish to acquire is in truth very natural and common, and men always do so when they can.but when they cannot…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The state is not an organism capable of bringing either moral or material improvements to the populace...but merely a vehicle of power…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.

— Niccolo 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

So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.

— 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

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

One can say this in general of men: they are ungrateful, disloyal, insincere and deceitful, timid of danger and avid of profit...Love…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see but few…

— 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

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should…

— 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

I don't doubt that every prince would like to be both; but since it is hard to accomodate these qualities, if you…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

An armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome…

— 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

The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Well used are those cruelties (if it is permitted to speak well of evil) that are carried out in a single stroke,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men as a whole judge more with their eyes than with their hands.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For titles do not reflect honor on men, but rather men on their titles.

— Niccolo Machiavelli