The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity… — 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
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
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
“There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of your enemy.” — Niccolò 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 prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince must not have any objective nor any thought, nor take up any art, other than the art of war and… — 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
When settling disputes between his subjects, he should ensure that his judgement is irrevocable; and he should be so regarded that no… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
“But when you disarm them, you at once offend them by showing that you distrust them, either for cowardice or for want… — Niccolò 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
I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
Conquered states that have been accustomed to liberty and the government of their own laws can be held by the conqueror in… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it. — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for,… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as… — 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
