--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He, therefore, who acquires such a State…" description: "\"“He, therefore, who acquires such a State, if he mean to keep it, must see to two things; first, that the blood of the ancient line of Princes be destr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/niccolo-machiavelli-368_change_he-therefore-who-acquires-such-a-state-i_2846729.jpg" --- # He, therefore, who acquires such a State, if he mean to… ![“He, therefore, who acquires such a State, if he mean to keep it, must see to two things; first, that the blood of the ancient line of Princes be destroyed; second, that no change be made in respect of laws or taxes; for in this way the newly acquired State speedily becomes incorporated with the…” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/niccolo-machiavelli-368_change_he-therefore-who-acquires-such-a-state-i_2846729.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/niccolo-machiavelli-368_change_he-therefore-who-acquires-such-a-state-i_2846729.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/niccolo-machiavelli-368_change_he-therefore-who-acquires-such-a-state-i_2846729.jpg) > ““He, therefore, who acquires such a State, if he mean to keep it, must see to two things; first, that the blood of the ancient line of Princes be destroyed; second, that no change be made in respect of laws or taxes; for in this way the newly acquired State speedily becomes incorporated with the hereditary.”” [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 must eliminate old dynastic blood and keep laws unchanged to secure a newly acquired state. **In simple terms:** New rulers must erase old lines and keep laws steady. Key Takeaway Stabilize power through decisive actions. Themes politics power stability Mood cautionary strategic Type political historical When to use this quote - conquest - government formation - legal reform Key Concepts statecraft legitimacy Questions to Reflect On - Is preserving old laws always wise? - What are the moral costs? A Different Perspective Risk of stagnation and rebellion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquired State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquired-state-1806558/) [Acquires State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquires-state-3763364/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Princes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes/) [Princes Destroyed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes-destroyed-3763365/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [State Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-mean-2672098/) ## Related quotes > [“When a newly acquired State has been accustomed, as I have said, to live under its own laws and in freedom, there are three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/when-a-newly-acquired-state-has-been-accustomed-as-i-have-said-to-2/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Anarchists generally make use if the word "State" to mean all the collection of institutions, political, legislative, judicial, military, financial, etc., by means of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errico-malatesta/anarchists-generally-make-use-if-the-word-state-to-mean-all-the/) [Errico Malatesta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errico-malatesta/) > [When you say 'state' you mean 'national.' National Socialism. That is what Mussolini and Hitler did. National Socialism. State Capitalism. They've changed the name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beck/when-you-say-state-you-mean-national-national-socialism-that-is-what/) [Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beck/) > [“A Prince, therefore, should have no care or thought but for war, and for the regulations and training it requires, and should apply himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-should-have-no-care-or-thought-but-for-war-and-for/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Princes should devolve on others those matters that entail responsibility, and reserve to themselves those that relate to grace and favour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/princes-should-devolve-on-others-those-matters-that-entail/) [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/) > [“Saudis of all sorts recent having to beg princes for favors to secure services that should be a public right”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elliott-house/saudis-of-all-sorts-recent-having-to-beg-princes-for-favors-to-secure/) [Karen Elliott House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elliott-house/) > [“He didn't know why, but seeing her made him feel like a man. She was something out of a dream - a dream in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/he-didn-t-know-why-but-seeing-her-made-him-feel-like-a-man-she-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Princes of courtesy, merciful, proud and strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-newbolt/princes-of-courtesy-merciful-proud-and-strong/) [Henry Newbolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-newbolt/) > [“Princes know themselves to be princes, and are not snobs; besides, they believe themselves to be so far above everything that is not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/princes-know-themselves-to-be-princes-and-are-not-snobs-besides-they/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [Princes have but their titles for their glories, An outward honor for an inward toil; And, for unfelt imaginations, They often feel a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/princes-have-but-their-titles-for-their-glories-an-outward-honor-for/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“This is how things come to pass in the world,' one of the princes is supposed to have said. 'Blood flows one way in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-kadar/this-is-how-things-come-to-pass-in-the-world-one-of-the-princes-is/) [Ismail Kadare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-kadar/) > [Spies are the ears and eyes of Princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/spies-are-the-ears-and-eyes-of-princes/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Princes are like heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil times, and which have much veneration, but no rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/princes-are-like-heavenly-bodies-which-cause-good-or-evil-times-and/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“Two princes each one fair." \*Walks toward the princes\* "No get the hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-gleason/two-princes-each-one-fair-walks-toward-the-princes-no-get-the-hair/) [Joanna Gleason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-gleason/) ## 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 Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. 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