War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
So far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should… — 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
There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt. — 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
Without doubt, ferocious and disordered men are much weaker than timid and ordered ones. For order chases fear from men and disorder… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor... — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Knowing how to fight made men more bold, because no one fears doing what it seems to him he has learned to… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
God and nature have thrown all human fortunes into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine than… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
As all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Never lead your soldiers to battle if you have not first confirmed their spirit and known them to be without fear and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The reason is that nature has so created men that they are able to desire everything but are not able to attain… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Nevertheless, he must be cautious in believing and acting, and must not inspire fear of his own accord, and must proceed in… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for,… — 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 makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“A Prince, therefore, should have no care or thought but for war, and for the regulations and training it requires, and should… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
I am firmly convinced, therefore, that to set up a republic which is to last a long time, the way to set… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Necessities can be many, but the one that is stronger is that which constrains you to win or to die. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men. — 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
The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers; for gold alone will not procure good soldiers, but good soldiers will… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it. — 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
“For on Cardinal Rohan saying to me that the Italians did not understand war, I replied that the French did not understand… — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A battle that you win cancels any other bad action of yours. In the same way, by losing one, all the good… — Niccolo 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
The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body. — 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
