--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The new ruler must determine all the…" description: "\"The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.\" — Niccolo Machiavelli" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/niccolo-machiavelli-368_determine_the-new-ruler-must-determine-all-the-inj_1341957.jpg" --- # The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will… ![“The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.” quote by Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/niccolo-machiavelli-368_determine_the-new-ruler-must-determine-all-the-inj_1341957.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/niccolo-machiavelli-368_determine_the-new-ruler-must-determine-all-the-inj_1341957.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/niccolo-machiavelli-368_determine_the-new-ruler-must-determine-all-the-inj_1341957.jpg) > “The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.” [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. A ruler should preemptively decide and execute necessary harsh actions decisively. **In simple terms:** A ruler must plan and deliver necessary punishments swiftly. Key Takeaway Act decisively to prevent future conflict. Themes politics power strategy Mood cautionary analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government - military leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts realpolitik authority deterrence Questions to Reflect On - Is preemptive cruelty ever justified? - What are the long‑term costs of harsh rule? A Different Perspective Such ruthlessness can breed rebellion and loss of legitimacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflict/) ## Related quotes > [Know yourself and fit yourself to new fashions. For there is a new ruler among the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/know-yourself-and-fit-yourself-to-new-fashions-for-there-is-a-new/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [“If you are a policy maker, don’t apply bandages to old injuries when what we need is early, corrective surgery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uri-gneezy/if-you-are-a-policy-maker-don-t-apply-bandages-to-old-injuries-when/) [Uri Gneezy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uri-gneezy/) > [I think that's one of the things I've learned through my injuries is that I need to play smarter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taysom-hill/i-think-that-s-one-of-the-things-i-ve-learned-through-my-injuries-is/) [Taysom Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taysom-hill/) > [I try to inflict as much damage as possible, at all costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-condit/i-try-to-inflict-as-much-damage-as-possible-at-all-costs/) [Carlos Condit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-condit/) > [“That's how we're connected: through the hurt we inflict on one another.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carsten-jensen/that-s-how-we-re-connected-through-the-hurt-we-inflict-on-one-another/) [Carsten Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carsten-jensen/) > [We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We will meet your physical force with soul force. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-shall-match-your-capacity-to-inflict-suffering-by-our-capacity-to/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [if I inflict wounds, I heal them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-de-rabutin-chantal-marquise-de-sevigne/if-i-inflict-wounds-i-heal-them/) [Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sevigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-de-rabutin-chantal-marquise-de-sevigne/) > [Everyone knows that the broadband era will breed a new generation of online services, but this is only half of the story. Like any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-platt/everyone-knows-that-the-broadband-era-will-breed-a-new-generation-of/) [Charles Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-platt/) > [“It is the mark of a supreme soul not know how to inflict pain on others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-is-the-mark-of-a-supreme-soul-not-know-how-to-inflict-pain-on/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in-your-power-for-he-may/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I ask you, why did the gods inflict me with brothers?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-ask-you-why-did-the-gods-inflict-me-with-brothers/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-connolly/there-is-no-pain-equal-to-that-which-two-lovers-can-inflict-on-one/) [Cyril Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-connolly/) > [I don’t work. I merely inflict myself on the public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morley/i-don-t-work-i-merely-inflict-myself-on-the-public/) [Robert Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morley/) > [“It is not those who can inflict the most, but those that can suffer the most who will prevail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-james-macswiney/it-is-not-those-who-can-inflict-the-most-but-those-that-can-suffer/) Terence James MacSwiney ## 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 Determine quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [The wisdom of our actions in the first three years of peace will determine the course of world history for half a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-wallace/the-wisdom-of-our-actions-in-the-first-three-years-of-peace-will/) [Henry A. Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-wallace/) > [Thought determines action. Do not let your whole life be a reaction to the things that happen around you each day. Let your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kelly/thought-determines-action-do-not-let-your-whole-life-be-a-reaction-to/) [Matthew Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kelly/) > [Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don't live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don't be an automaton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cash-penney/determine-to-do-some-thinking-for-yourself-don-t-live-entirely-upon/) [James Cash Penney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cash-penney/) > [Choices determine character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mull/choices-determine-character/) [Brandon Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mull/) > [We must recognize that every nation determines its policies in terms of its own interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-must-recognize-that-every-nation-determines-its-policies-in-terms/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [All writers are forced to live within deadlines, and deadlines determine how good they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/all-writers-are-forced-to-live-within-deadlines-and-deadlines/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [Alfred Nobel stipulated that no distinction of race or colour will determine who received of his generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdus-salam/alfred-nobel-stipulated-that-no-distinction-of-race-or-colour-will/) [Abdus Salam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdus-salam/) > [The enmity of such a party towards Socialism does not mean that the members are only prejudiced against it because they do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-radek/the-enmity-of-such-a-party-towards-socialism-does-not-mean-that-the/) [Karl Radek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-radek/) > [It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/it-is-not-the-consciousness-of-men-that-determines-their-being-but-on/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Running gives freedom. When you run you can determine your own tempo. You can choose your own course and think whatever you want. Nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-kuscsik/running-gives-freedom-when-you-run-you-can-determine-your-own-tempo/) [Nina Kuscsik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-kuscsik/) > [I've ultimately decided that I will not play this NBA season. I'm going to take the remainder of this season, as well as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-allen/i-ve-ultimately-decided-that-i-will-not-play-this-nba-season-i-m/) [Ray Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-allen/) > [The things you do determine the way people perceive you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/the-things-you-do-determine-the-way-people-perceive-you/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) Browse all 2,194 Determine quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. 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