Action Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
“And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: The Prince, 1532
A ruler may need to act immorally to keep power, as good deeds can be exploited by corrupt groups.
In simple terms: Leaders sometimes must be ruthless to stay in power.
Key Takeaway
Consider the costs of moral purity in leadership.
Themes
politics
power
ethics
Mood
cynical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government
- revolution
- court intrigue
Key Concepts
realpolitik
moral compromise
statecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it justified to act unethically for stability?
- How do you identify corrupt influences?
A Different Perspective
Good actions can undermine authority when allies are corrupt.
