Ability Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
“War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Prince, 1532
War is a prince’s primary focus; peace is merely a pause to plan further conflict.
In simple terms: War dominates a ruler’s agenda.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize strategic readiness.
Themes
politics
war
strategy
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- military leadership
- foreign policy
- national security
Key Concepts
realpolitik
statecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- Is perpetual war sustainable?
- How can peace be leveraged constructively?
A Different Perspective
Peaceful periods may be exploited by rivals.
![“What I consider to be peace [is] a sustainable peace in which the majority of people on this planet have access to enough resources to live dignified lives.” quote by Jody Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d75/jody-williams-24614_access_what-i-consider-to-be-peace-is-a-sustain_1175663.jpg)
![“I'm sure that someday children in schools will study the history of the men [sic] who made war as you study an absurdity. They'll be shocked, just as today we're shocked with cannibalism.” quote by Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/756/golda-meir-5181_absurdity_i-m-sure-that-someday-children-in-school_1217571.jpg)
