States Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.

— Niccolo 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

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws and good arms you…

— Niccolo 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

One man should not be afraid of improving his posessions, lest they be taken away from him, or another deterred by high…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

It may be observed, that provinces amid the vicissitudes to which they are subject, pass from order into confusion, and afterward recur…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

For that reason, let a prince have the credit of conquering and holding his state, the means will always be considered honest,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

We must bear in mind, then, that there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful of success, than an attempt…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Thus it happens in matters of state; for knowing afar off (which it is only given a prudent man to do) the…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

And what physicians say about disease is applicable here: that at the beginning a disease is easy to cure but difficult to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

And what physicians say about disease is applicable here: that at the beginning a disease is easy to cure but difficult to…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Some princes, so as to hold securely the state, have disarmed their subjects, others have kept their subject towns distracted by factions...Our…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

Conquered states that have been accustomed to liberty and the government of their own laws can be held by the conqueror in…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

He who desires or attempts to reform the government of a state and wishes to have it accepted, must at least retain…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for,…

— Niccolo Machiavelli