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
To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else. — 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
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
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
“for men do easily part with their prince upon hopes of bettering their condition, and that hope provokes them to rebel; but… — Niccolò 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
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
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
The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince... must learn from the fox and the lion... One must be a fox in order to recognize traps, and a… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules… — 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
I assert once again as a truth to which history as a whole bears witness that men may second their fortune, but… — 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
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
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
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
The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or… — 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
And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with… — Niccolo Machiavelli Copy Share Image
And above all you ought to guard against leading an army to fight which is afraid or which is not confident of… — 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
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
Then also pretexts for seizing property are never wanting, and one who begins to live by rapine will always find some reason… — 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
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
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
