--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many have imagined republics and…" description: "\"Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/niccolo-machiavelli-368_democracy_many-have-imagined-republics-and-princip_2385232.jpg" --- # Many have imagined republics and principalities which have… ![“Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/niccolo-machiavelli-368_democracy_many-have-imagined-republics-and-princip_2385232.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/niccolo-machiavelli-368_democracy_many-have-imagined-republics-and-princip_2385232.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/niccolo-machiavelli-368_democracy_many-have-imagined-republics-and-princip_2385232.jpg) > “Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about” [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. People imagine ideal societies far from reality; striving for the ideal can neglect practical action, leading to unintended consequences. **In simple terms:** Idealism can distract from real progress. Key Takeaway Focus on achievable improvements. Themes politics philosophy idealism pragmatism Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy making - social reform - personal ethics Key Concepts utopia ethical theory human nature Questions to Reflect On - What practical steps can bridge ideal and reality? - When should compromise be accepted? A Different Perspective Ideal goals may be unattainable and cause frustration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandons Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandons-ought-3089182/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagined Republics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagined-republics-3843624/) [Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living/) [Principalities Seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principalities-seen-5918721/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Removed Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/removed-ought-3089183/) [Republics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republics/) ## Related quotes > [“Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality, for how we live is so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-have-imagined-republics-and-principalities-which-have-never-been/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-how-we-live-is-so-far-removed-from-how-we-ought-to-live-that-he/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“But since my intention is to write something useful for anyone who understands it, it seemed more suitable for me to search after the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/but-since-my-intention-is-to-write-something-useful-for-anyone-who/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [But in Republics there is a stronger vitality, a fiercer hatred, a keener thirst for revenge. The memory of their former freedom will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/but-in-republics-there-is-a-stronger-vitality-a-fiercer-hatred-a/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so the disregard of them produces their ruin; for where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/as-the-observance-of-divine-institutions-is-the-cause-of-the-2/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so the disregard of them produces their ruin; for where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/as-the-observance-of-divine-institutions-is-the-cause-of-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should live and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/many-have-dreamed-up-republics-and-principalities-that-have-never-in/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/all-the-states-and-governments-by-which-men-are-or-ever-have-been/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/republics-have-a-longer-life-and-enjoy-better-fortune-than/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It is impossible to read the history of the petty republics of Greece and Italy without feeling sensations of horror and disgust at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-impossible-to-read-the-history-of-the-petty-republics-of-greece/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The fake republics are goners; the monarchies have a fighting chance. That's my conclusion after a short visit to the Middle East and discussions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/the-fake-republics-are-goners-the-monarchies-have-a-fighting-chance/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [Some countries have a parliamentary republic, some are presidential republics and some are still monarchies, but no one sees them as not being democratic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/some-countries-have-a-parliamentary-republic-some-are-presidential/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/republics-are-brought-to-their-ends-by-luxury-monarchies-by-poverty/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [“The freest people, like the freest man, is always in danger of re-lapsing into servitude. Wars are almost always fatal to Republics. They create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/the-freest-people-like-the-freest-man-is-always-in-danger-of-re/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## 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 Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. 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