--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A prince, therefore, ought always to take…" description: "\"“A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg" --- # A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but… ![“A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he…” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg) > ““A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he inquired; also, on learning that any one, on any consideration, has not told him the truth, he should let his anger be felt.”” [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A ruler should seek advice on his own terms, remain inquisitive, listen patiently, and react only when deceived. **In simple terms:** Leaders control when and how they get counsel and respond to lies. Key Takeaway Seek advice selectively, stay curious, and confront falsehoods. Themes leadership politics wisdom trust control Mood cautious strategic reflective Type advisory political philosophical When to use this quote - court negotiations - policy formulation - team management - crisis response Key Concepts Machiavellian strategy political psychology ethical decision-making Questions to Reflect On - Do you balance openness with skepticism? - How do you verify advice before acting? A Different Perspective Relying solely on counsel can expose a leader to manipulation or echo chambers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Counsel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counsel/) [Counsel Wishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counsel-wishes-3512994/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Ought Counsel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-counsel-3512993/) [Ought Discourage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-discourage-3512995/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Prince Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prince-ought-1850013/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/therefore-a-wise-prince-ought-to-adopt-such-a-course-that-his/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“I say that every prince ought to desire to be considered clement and not cruel. Nevertheless he ought to take care not to misuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-say-that-every-prince-ought-to-desire-to-be-considered-clement-and/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-this-reason-a-prince-ought-to-take-care-that-he-never-lets/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-ought-to-have-two-fears-one-from-within-on-account-of-his/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-ought-to-have-no-other-aim-or-thought-nor-select-anything/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which his citizens will need the state and himself at all times and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a-method-by-which-his-citizens/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Without doubt, princes become great when they overcome difficulties and hurdles put in their path. When fortune wants to advance a new prince... She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/without-doubt-princes-become-great-when-they-overcome-difficulties/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I was fortunate to benefit from Secretary Shultz's advice and counsel when I served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hagerty/i-was-fortunate-to-benefit-from-secretary-shultz-s-advice-and-counsel/) [Bill Hagerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hagerty/) > [Few there were who could change his courses by counsel. None by force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/few-there-were-who-could-change-his-courses-by-counsel-none-by-force/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/you-have-come-and-are-here-met-in-this-very-nick-of-time-by-chance-as/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [He who keeps his own counsel keeps his affairs in his own hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umar/he-who-keeps-his-own-counsel-keeps-his-affairs-in-his-own-hands/) [Umar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umar/) > [Over the years, I have created close friendships with many successful men, many of whom I have made a lot of money for through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-roth/over-the-years-i-have-created-close-friendships-with-many-successful/) [Carol Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-roth/) > [By definition, a Special Counsel is charged with investigating particular potential crimes, not all potential crimes wherever they may be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/by-definition-a-special-counsel-is-charged-with-investigating/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More by Niccolò Machiavelli > [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/because-there-are-three-classes-of-intellects-one-which-comprehends/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/it-is-the-duty-of-a-man-of-honor-to-teach-others-the-good-which-he/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who believes that new benefits make men of high station forget old injuries deceives himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-believes-that-new-benefits-make-men-of-high-station-forget/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-has-once-begun-to-live-by-rapine-always-finds-reasons-for/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/everyone-who-wants-to-know-what-will-happen-ought-to-examine-what-has/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/speaking-generally-men-are-ungrateful-fickle-hypocritical-fearful/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-the-great-majority-of-mankind-are-satisfied-with-appearance-as/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/that-prince-is-highly-esteemed-who-conveys-this-impression-of-himself/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/anyone-who-studies-present-and-ancient-affairs-will-easily-see-how-in/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-believe-that-it-is-possible-for-one-to-praise-without-concern-any/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-are-always-averse-to-enterprises-in-which-they-foresee/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by force, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-causes-another-to-become-powerful-ruins-himself-for-he-brings/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/one-never-finds-anything-perfectly-pure-and-exempt-from-danger/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) [Explore all 590 Niccolò Machiavelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More Counsel quotes > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By definition, a Special Counsel is charged with investigating particular potential crimes, not all potential crimes wherever they may be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barr/by-definition-a-special-counsel-is-charged-with-investigating/) [William Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barr/) > [Over the years, I have created close friendships with many successful men, many of whom I have made a lot of money for through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-roth/over-the-years-i-have-created-close-friendships-with-many-successful/) [Carol Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-roth/) > [He who keeps his own counsel keeps his affairs in his own hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umar/he-who-keeps-his-own-counsel-keeps-his-affairs-in-his-own-hands/) [Umar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umar/) > [“You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/you-have-come-and-are-here-met-in-this-very-nick-of-time-by-chance-as/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [Few there were who could change his courses by counsel. None by force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/few-there-were-who-could-change-his-courses-by-counsel-none-by-force/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was fortunate to benefit from Secretary Shultz's advice and counsel when I served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hagerty/i-was-fortunate-to-benefit-from-secretary-shultz-s-advice-and-counsel/) [Bill Hagerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hagerty/) > [The right to be heard would be, in many cases, of little avail if it did not comprehend the right to be heard by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sutherland/the-right-to-be-heard-would-be-in-many-cases-of-little-avail-if-it/) [George Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sutherland/) > [When you counsel someone, you should appear to be reminding him of something he had forgotten, not of the light he was unable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/when-you-counsel-someone-you-should-appear-to-be-reminding-him-of/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [The most excellent and divine counsel, the best and most profitable advertisement of all others, but the least practiced, is to study and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-most-excellent-and-divine-counsel-the-best-and-most-profitable/) [Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/) > [Counsel with your parents is a privilege at any age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/counsel-with-your-parents-is-a-privilege-at-any-age/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That's the time to listen to every fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-time-to-take-counsel-of-your-fears-is-before-you-make-an/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [A woman's counsel is not worth much, but he that despises it is no wiser than he should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-smith/a-woman-s-counsel-is-not-worth-much-but-he-that-despises-it-is-no/) [Horace Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-smith/) > [My lord, I have some matter of law relating to the indictment, and I desire counsel to speak to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kidd/my-lord-i-have-some-matter-of-law-relating-to-the-indictment-and-i/) [William Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kidd/) > [“Empathy is not listening to someone in order to advise, counsel, reply, refute, fix, judge, solve, change, agree, disagree, or to figure the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-simpson/empathy-is-not-listening-to-someone-in-order-to-advise-counsel-reply/) [Michael Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-simpson/) [Browse all 197 Counsel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counsel/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every one from offering advice unless he asks it; but, however, he ought to be a constant inquirer, and afterwards a patient listener concerning the things of which he inquired; also, on learning that any one, on any consideration, has not told him the truth, he should let his anger be felt.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Niccolò Machiavelli" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take-counsel-but-only-when-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Counsel" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take-counsel-but-only-when-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70a/niccolo-machiavelli-368_patience_a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take_1188038.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he…” — Niccolò Machiavelli", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Niccolò Machiavelli", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“A prince, therefore, ought always to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take-counsel-but-only-when-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take-counsel-but-only-when-he/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```