War Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

In war, discipline can do more than fury.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one's enemies.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“war is not so to be avoided, but is only deferred to your disadvantage”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A battle that you win cancels all your mistakes.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For whoever conquers a free Town, and does not demolish it, commits a great Error, and may expect to be ruin 'd…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of your enemy.”

— 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

The princes who have done great things are the ones who have taken little account of their promises.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

— 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

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

Though fraud in all other actions be odious, yet in matters of war it is laudable and glorious, and he who overcomes…

— 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

Hence it happened that all the armed prophets conquered, all the unarmed perished. [It., Di qui nacque che tutti li profeti armati…

— 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

“But when you disarm them, you at once offend them by showing that you distrust them, either for cowardice or for want…

— Niccolò 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

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

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Conquered states that have been accustomed to liberty and the government of their own laws can be held by the conqueror in…

— 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

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“Men must either be caressed or else destroyed.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

War brings out thieves and peace hangs them.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

One should never risk one's whole fortune unless supported by one's entire forces.

— Niccolo Machiavelli