Niccolo Machiavelli

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“The nature of men is such that they find themselves obligated as much for the benefits they confer as for those they…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“Nothing consumes itself so much as generosity, because while you practise it you’re losing the wherewithal to go on practising it.”

— Niccolò 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

“and those modes of defence are alone good, certain and lasting, which depend upon yourself and your own worth.”

— Niccolò 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

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“Men are either to be kindly treated, or utterly crushed, since they can revenge lighter injuries, but not graver. Wherefore the injury…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

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

— 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

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For as laws are necessary that good manners may be preserved, so there is need of good manner that laws may be…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“For when you are on the spot, disorders are detected in their beginnings and remedies can be readily applied; but when you…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would lose the state…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Delusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“exactly to those paths which others have taken, or attain to the virtues of those whom they would resemble, the wise man…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“This again results naturally and necessarily from the circumstance that the Prince cannot avoid giving offence to his new subjects, either in…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

When evening comes, I return home and go into my study. On the threshold I strip off my muddy, sweaty clothes of…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“Without doubt, princes become great when they overcome difficulties and hurdles put in their path. When fortune wants to advance a new…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

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

“It was the verdict of ancient writers that men afflict themselves in evil and weary themselves in the good, and that the…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“A Prince, therefore, should have no care or thought but for war, and for the regulations and training it requires, and should…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“I say, then, that hereditary States, accustomed to the family of their Prince, are maintained with far less difficulty than new States,…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“A Prince is likewise esteemed who is a stanch friend and a thorough foe, that is to say, who without reserve openly…

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“That defense alone is effectual, sure and durable which depends upon yourself and your own valour.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli

“Men intrinsically do not trust new things that they have not experienced themselves.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

“Whoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.”

— Niccolò Machiavelli

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

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

— Niccolo Machiavelli