“In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one's enemies.” — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“war is not so to be avoided, but is only deferred to your disadvantage” — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of your enemy.” — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
One should never permit a disorder to persist in order to avoid a war, for wars cannot be avoided and can only… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Good order and discipline in any army are to be depended upon more than courage alone. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
If someone puts up the argument that King Louis gave the Romagna to Pope Alexander, and the kingdom of Naples to Spain,… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
War is a profession by which a man cannot live honorably; an employment by which the soldier, if he would reap any… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they,… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“It may be observed, that provinces amid the vicissitudes to which they are subject, pass from order into confusion, and afterward recur… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Among other causes of misfortune which your not being armed brings upon you, it makes you despised… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“But in republics there is more vitality, more hatred, and more desire for revenge. The memory of former freedom simply will not… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“you ought never to suffer your designs to be crossed in order to avoid war, since war is not so to be… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.” — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share
He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed,… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share
I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
“He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by force, and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share
