--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And the prince who has relied solely on…" description: "\"And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_and-the-prince-who-has-relied-solely-on_1314761.jpg" --- # And the prince who has relied solely on their words… ![“And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is merited but is not secured, and at times is not to be had.” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_and-the-prince-who-has-relied-solely-on_1314761.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_and-the-prince-who-has-relied-solely-on_1314761.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/niccolo-machiavelli-368_art_and-the-prince-who-has-relied-solely-on_1314761.jpg) > “And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is merited but is not secured, and at times is not to be had.” [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. Relying solely on words without substantive action leads to fragile alliances; true loyalty requires genuine virtue. **In simple terms:** Words alone can't secure lasting friendships. Key Takeaway Build trust through deeds, not just promises. Themes political strategy trust authenticity leadership Mood analytical cautious Type philosophical strategic When to use this quote - diplomacy - team building - personal relationships Key Concepts Machiavellian realism virtue ethics social capital Questions to Reflect On - What actions reinforce your words? - How do you test the depth of a relationship? A Different Perspective Reliance on rhetoric may backfire in crises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Grandeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandeur/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Nobility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobility/) [Nobility Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobility-spirit-841276/) [Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation/) [Preparations Ruined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparations-ruined-4361824/) [Prince Relied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prince-relied-4361823/) [Ruined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruined/) [Ruined Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruined-friendship-1781627/) [Secured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secured/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“To love--to fall--is not a question. To touch--to kiss--to speak--those are questions. There is nothing worse than a ruined friendship. There is nothing better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/to-love-to-fall-is-not-a-question-to-touch-to-kiss-to-speak-those-are-2/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [The feeling I have for her has ruined our friendship.Now,she won't talk to me and even look at me.I'm an idiot!!!If I knew this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-feeling-i-have-for-her-has-ruined-our-friendship-now-she-won-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And yet, and yet. This place exerts an elemental pull on me. There is no end of fascinations. People talk all the time, calling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teju-cole/and-yet-and-yet-this-place-exerts-an-elemental-pull-on-me-there-is-no/) [Teju Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teju-cole/) > [“Everything goes. 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I have ideals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-palmer/everything-goes-but-the-one-thing-that-separates-human-beings-from/) [Diana Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-palmer/) > [Nobility of spirit has more to do with simplicity than ostentation, wisdom rather than wealth, commitment rather than ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riccardo-muti/nobility-of-spirit-has-more-to-do-with-simplicity-than-ostentation/) [Riccardo Muti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riccardo-muti/) > [We need above all to learn again to believe in the possibility of nobility of spirit in ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/we-need-above-all-to-learn-again-to-believe-in-the-possibility-of/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/fear-is-secured-by-a-dread-of-punishment/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/the-reply-is-that-one-ought-to-be-both-feared-and-loved-but-as-it-is/) [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/) > [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/) > [When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/when-men-receive-favours-from-someone-they-expected-to-do-them-ill/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/so-in-all-human-affairs-one-notices-if-one-examines-them-closely-that/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/the-romans-never-allowed-a-trouble-spot-to-remain-simply-to-avoid/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/in-the-same-manner-having-been-reduced-by-disorder-and-sunk-to-their/) [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/) ## 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; 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 Niccolo Machiavelli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. 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