--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who builds on the people, builds on…" description: "\"He who builds on the people, builds on the mud\" — Niccolo Machiavelli" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg" --- # He who builds on the people, builds on the mud ![“He who builds on the people, builds on the mud” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg) > “He who builds on the people, builds on the mud” [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. Power depends on the support of the people; without their backing, any authority is unstable. **In simple terms:** People are the foundation of power. Key Takeaway Earn and keep public trust. Themes politics leadership legitimacy Mood cautious strategic Type political advisory When to use this quote - government building - campaigns - policy implementation - community organizing Key Concepts social contract authority stability Questions to Reflect On - How do you cultivate genuine public support? - What risks arise from ignoring popular sentiment? A Different Perspective If the people are discontent, even strong leaders can fall. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“Again, take someone who’s crippled or deformed; they can’t be tied to the plank without a lot of sweat and heaving, and then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/again-take-someone-who-s-crippled-or-deformed-they-can-t-be-tied-to/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [Putting soccer aside, N.Y.C. is just one of those cities that builds people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-weah/putting-soccer-aside-n-y-c-is-just-one-of-those-cities-that-builds/) [Timothy Weah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-weah/) > [The factory is the machine that builds the machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/the-factory-is-the-machine-that-builds-the-machine/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [I believe in singing to such an extent that, if I were asked to redesign the British educational system, I would start by insisting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-believe-in-singing-to-such-an-extent-that-if-i-were-asked-to/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [I feel like clout is something that builds up on your teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-feel-like-clout-is-something-that-builds-up-on-your-teeth/) [Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/) > [“Momentum builds success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/momentum-builds-success/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Smart development builds on a region's own skills, resources and local businesses. Dumb growth invites a big corporation in, surrenders control and profits to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donella-meadows/smart-development-builds-on-a-region-s-own-skills-resources-and-local/) [Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-meadows/) > [I like the way Wiseman builds a story in an unconventional way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mckay/i-like-the-way-wiseman-builds-a-story-in-an-unconventional-way/) [Jim McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mckay/) > [Inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon builds on reading and talking about the Book of Mormon and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/inviting-children-as-gospel-learners-to-act-and-not-merely-be-acted/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [“A Dom never takes away. He only builds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delaine-moore/a-dom-never-takes-away-he-only-builds/) Delaine Moore > [a man who builds a house never really dies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mahy/a-man-who-builds-a-house-never-really-dies/) [Margaret Mahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mahy/) > [The bass should be the note of the bass drum, and then you've got the engine of the band that everything else builds on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/the-bass-should-be-the-note-of-the-bass-drum-and-then-you-ve-got-the/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [Capital never builds great products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-tewari/capital-never-builds-great-products/) [Naveen Tewari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-tewari/) > [It's empowering to find a workout that builds strength and grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-helen-bowers/it-s-empowering-to-find-a-workout-that-builds-strength-and-grace/) [Mary Helen Bowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-helen-bowers/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) ## 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 Builds quotes > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [It's empowering to find a workout that builds strength and grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-helen-bowers/it-s-empowering-to-find-a-workout-that-builds-strength-and-grace/) [Mary Helen Bowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-helen-bowers/) > [Capital never builds great products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-tewari/capital-never-builds-great-products/) [Naveen Tewari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-tewari/) > [The bass should be the note of the bass drum, and then you've got the engine of the band that everything else builds on.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/the-bass-should-be-the-note-of-the-bass-drum-and-then-you-ve-got-the/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [a man who builds a house never really dies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mahy/a-man-who-builds-a-house-never-really-dies/) [Margaret Mahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mahy/) > [“A Dom never takes away. He only builds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delaine-moore/a-dom-never-takes-away-he-only-builds/) Delaine Moore > [Inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon builds on reading and talking about the Book of Mormon and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/inviting-children-as-gospel-learners-to-act-and-not-merely-be-acted/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [I like the way Wiseman builds a story in an unconventional way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mckay/i-like-the-way-wiseman-builds-a-story-in-an-unconventional-way/) [Jim McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mckay/) > [The factory is the machine that builds the machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/the-factory-is-the-machine-that-builds-the-machine/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [Smart development builds on a region's own skills, resources and local businesses. Dumb growth invites a big corporation in, surrenders control and profits to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donella-meadows/smart-development-builds-on-a-region-s-own-skills-resources-and-local/) [Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-meadows/) > [“Momentum builds success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/momentum-builds-success/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I feel like clout is something that builds up on your teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-feel-like-clout-is-something-that-builds-up-on-your-teeth/) [Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/) > [I believe in singing to such an extent that, if I were asked to redesign the British educational system, I would start by insisting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-believe-in-singing-to-such-an-extent-that-if-i-were-asked-to/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Sometimes we fall, sometimes we stumble, but we can't stay down. We can't allow life to beat us down. Everything happens for a reason,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-devers/sometimes-we-fall-sometimes-we-stumble-but-we-can-t-stay-down-we-can/) [Gail Devers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-devers/) > [Accuracy builds credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/accuracy-builds-credibility/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) Browse all 72 Builds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who builds on the people, builds on the mud", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Niccolo Machiavelli" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-the-mud/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Builds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-the-mud/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a33/niccolo-machiavelli-368_builds_he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-th_276061.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who builds on the people, builds on the mud” — Niccolo 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": "Niccolo Machiavelli", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who builds on the people,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-the-mud/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-builds-on-the-people-builds-on-the-mud/#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 } } ] } ```