Blood Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
“One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well, they are yours. They would shed their blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their children, so long, as I said above, as danger is remote; but when you are in danger they turn against you.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli, 1532
People often act loyally when safe and profitable, but betray when threatened or when loyalty is costly.
In simple terms: Loyalty depends on self‑interest.
Key Takeaway
Beware of conditional loyalty.
Themes
politics
human nature
trust
betrayal
self‑interest
Mood
cautious
skeptical
reflective
Type
advice
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
- political alliances
- team leadership
Key Concepts
Machiavellianism
realpolitik
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess genuine loyalty?
- What safeguards can protect against betrayal?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all individuals are equally self‑serving, ignoring altruism.
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
