I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words toward anyone, for… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Thus it happens in matters of state; for knowing afar off (which it is only given a prudent man to do) the… — 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
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
And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can,… — 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
Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
In the armies, and among every ten men, there must be one of more life, of more heart, or at least of… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler.… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men are less hesitant about harming someone who makes himself loved than one who makes himself feared because love is held together… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
You must know, then, that there are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Those who either from imprudence or want of sagacity avoid doing so, are always overwhelmed with servitude and poverty; for faithful servants… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
For it must be noted, that men must either be caressed or else annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
I hold it to be of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words towards any one, for neither… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
One can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And when he is obliged to take the life of any one, to do so when there is a proper justification and… — 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
Men are of three different capacities: one understands intuitively; another understands so far as it is explained; and a third understands neither… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
There is simply no comparison between a man who is armed and one who is not. It is simply unreasonable to expect… — 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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.” — Niccolò Machiavelli Copy Share Image
He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
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 Image
Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain. — 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
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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
