How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and…
“How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and live with integrity, and not with astuteness, every one knows. Still the experience of our times shows those princes to have done great things who have had little regard for good faith, and have been able by astuteness to confuse men's brains, and who have ultimately overcome those who have made loyalty their foundation.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that cunning and strategic deceit can achieve greater results than simple honesty, suggesting that pragmatic intelligence often outweighs moral virtue in leadership.
In simple terms: Cunning can be more effective than pure honesty in achieving goals.
Key Takeaway
Balance integrity with strategic insight.
Themes
politics
power
ethics
leadership
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- statecraft
- corporate strategy
- political campaigns
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
realpolitik
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- When is deceit justified in leadership?
- How does integrity affect lasting influence?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks the long‑term costs of eroding trust and reputation.