--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No enterprise is more likely to succeed…" description: "\"“No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Nothing is of greater importance in time of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a2/niccolo-machiavelli-368_business_no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed_1236443.jpg" --- # No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed… ![“No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered. Few men are brave by nature, but good discipline and…” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a2/niccolo-machiavelli-368_business_no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed_1236443.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a2/niccolo-machiavelli-368_business_no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed_1236443.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a2/niccolo-machiavelli-368_business_no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed_1236443.jpg) > ““No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered. Few men are brave by nature, but good discipline and experience make many so.”” [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. Success depends on secrecy and timing; disciplined, experienced men can act bravely when opportunity arises. **In simple terms:** Secrecy and discipline enable success in war. Key Takeaway Plan carefully and act when ready. Themes strategy discipline opportunity war leadership Mood cautious determined Type advisory strategic When to use this quote - military campaigns - business launches - political maneuvers - team projects Key Concepts political theory military tactics human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect critical plans? - When is it better to act openly? A Different Perspective Secrecy can be compromised by leaks, reducing effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed-than-one-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-proceeding-is-better-than-that-which-you-have-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [If you want to keep something concealed from your enemy, don't disclose it to your friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ibn-gabirol/if-you-want-to-keep-something-concealed-from-your-enemy-don-t/) [Solomon Ibn Gabirol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ibn-gabirol/) > [“The secret to keeping one's actions concealed from the enemy is, in most cases, to learn what he thinks you will do, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-kearsley-author/the-secret-to-keeping-one-s-actions-concealed-from-the-enemy-is-in/) Susanna Kearsley (Author > [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/) > [Every start on an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-start-on-an-untrodden-path-is-a-venture-which-only-in-unusual/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“Part of waging war is knowing when you’re outgunned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-charles-wilson/part-of-waging-war-is-knowing-when-you-re-outgunned/) [Robert Charles Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-charles-wilson/) > [Many soldiers are led to faulty ideas of war by knowing too much about too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/many-soldiers-are-led-to-faulty-ideas-of-war-by-knowing-too-much/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [Our modern states are preparing for war without even knowing the future enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adler/our-modern-states-are-preparing-for-war-without-even-knowing-the/) [Alfred Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adler/) > [“Do you think I’d start a war without knowing how to end it?” “You’ve done it at least three times that I know of!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/do-you-think-i-d-start-a-war-without-knowing-how-to-end-it-you-ve/) [Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/) > [Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/nothing-is-of-greater-importance-in-time-of-war-than-in-knowing-how/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [It was my view then, and still is, that you don't make war without knowing why. Knowledge of course, is always imperfect, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/it-was-my-view-then-and-still-is-that-you-don-t-make-war-without/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [“Peace is an art as much as war is, and knowing when and how to negotiate peace is the art's highest form.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wick-allison/peace-is-an-art-as-much-as-war-is-and-knowing-when-and-how-to/) Wick Allison > [One cannot know peace without knowing war You cannot know war without knowing Peace You cannot know light without Darkness you cannot know Darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-t0x1c/one-cannot-know-peace-without-knowing-war-you-cannot-know-war-without/) Michael T0X1C > [I believe we are most likely to succeed when ambition is focused on noble and worthy purposes and outcomes rather than on goals set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-believe-we-are-most-likely-to-succeed-when-ambition-is-focused-on/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## 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 Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. 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