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
So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another… — 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
...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
If the present be compared with the remote past, it is easily seen that in all cities and in all peoples there… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And if such malignity is hidden for a time, it proceeds from the unknown reason that would not be known because the… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved? It might perhaps be answered that we should… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
You must never believe that the enemy does not know how to conduct his own affairs. Indeed, if you want to be… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
He who has annexed them, if he wishes to hold them, has only to bear in mind two considerations: the one, that… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Therefore, in order not to have to rob his subjects, to be able to defend himself, not to become poor and contemptible,… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Well used are those cruelties (if it is permitted to speak well of evil) that are carried out in a single stroke,… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
I don't doubt that every prince would like to be both; but since it is hard to accomodate these qualities, if you… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
From the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prudent man... must behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities… — 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
If the chief party, whether it be the people, or the army, or the nobility, which you think most useful and of… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would lose the state… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
For a prince should have two fears: one, internal concerning his subjects; the other, external, concerning foreign powers. From the latter he… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
For a long time I have not said what I believed, nor do I ever believe what I say, and if indeed… — 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
If you only notice human proceedings, you may observe that all who attain great power and riches, make use of either force… — 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
