--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although deceit is detestable in all…" description: "\"Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b9/niccolo-machiavelli-368_commanders_although-deceit-is-detestable-in-all-oth_3204680.jpg" --- # Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in… ![“Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b9/niccolo-machiavelli-368_commanders_although-deceit-is-detestable-in-all-oth_3204680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b9/niccolo-machiavelli-368_commanders_although-deceit-is-detestable-in-all-oth_3204680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b9/niccolo-machiavelli-368_commanders_although-deceit-is-detestable-in-all-oth_3204680.jpg) > “Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.” [Niccolo 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. Deception is morally condemned generally but praised in war when it leads to victory, highlighting pragmatic ethics. **In simple terms:** Lying is okay in war, not elsewhere. Key Takeaway Use tactics wisely in conflict. Themes ethics war strategy Mood thoughtful serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - battle planning - diplomacy - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts political realism morality military tactics Questions to Reflect On - When is deception justified? - What are the costs of winning by deceit? A Different Perspective Such tactics can erode long‑term trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commanders/) [Deceit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deceit/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Stratagem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stratagem/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Though fraud in all other actions be odious, yet in matters of war it is laudable and glorious, and he who overcomes his enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/though-fraud-in-all-other-actions-be-odious-yet-in-matters-of-war-it/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Stratagem is the right hand of cunning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-william-curtis/stratagem-is-the-right-hand-of-cunning/) [George William Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-william-curtis/) > [For truth is strong next to the Almighty. 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Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) > [Josh Billings said, It is not only the most difficult thing to know oneself, but the most inconvenient one, too. Human beings have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/josh-billings-said-it-is-not-only-the-most-difficult-thing-to-know/) [John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/) ## More by Niccolo 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; 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