--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are many who think a wise prince…" description: "\"“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his gr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg" --- # There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has… ![“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness.” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg) > ““There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness.”” [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 may deliberately create enemies to later eliminate them, thereby strengthening his power. **In simple terms:** Creating foes can boost authority. Key Takeaway Use conflict strategically. Themes politics power strategy Mood cautious analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - political maneuvering - historical analysis Key Concepts statecraft conflict management Questions to Reflect On - When is it ethical to provoke opposition? - What are the risks of manufactured conflict? A Different Perspective Such tactics can breed mistrust and instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astutely Enmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astutely-enmity-4467320/) [Enmity Suppressing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enmity-suppressing-4467321/) [Foment Astutely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foment-astutely-4467322/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Prince Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prince-ought-1850013/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-prince-1345214/) ## Related quotes > [“Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/therefore-a-wise-prince-ought-to-adopt-such-a-course-that-his/) [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/) > [“Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which his citizens will need the state and himself at all times and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a-method-by-which-his-citizens/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“A prince, therefore, ought always to take counsel, but only when he wishes and not when others wish; he ought rather to discourage every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-therefore-ought-always-to-take-counsel-but-only-when-he/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-this-reason-a-prince-ought-to-take-care-that-he-never-lets/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“I say that every prince ought to desire to be considered clement and not cruel. Nevertheless he ought to take care not to misuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/i-say-that-every-prince-ought-to-desire-to-be-considered-clement-and/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“When everyone feels free to tell you the truth, respect for you dwindles… A wise prince should take another course: choose wise men for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/when-everyone-feels-free-to-tell-you-the-truth-respect-for-you/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Returning to the question of being feared or loved, I conclude that since men love at their own will and fear at the will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/returning-to-the-question-of-being-feared-or-loved-i-conclude-that/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“Thus a wise prince will think of ways to keep his citizens of every sort and under every circumstance dependent on the state and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/thus-a-wise-prince-will-think-of-ways-to-keep-his-citizens-of-every/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-ought-to-have-no-other-aim-or-thought-nor-select-anything/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-prince-ought-to-have-two-fears-one-from-within-on-account-of-his/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A wise prince will seek means by which his subjects will always and in every possible condition of things have need of his government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-wise-prince-will-seek-means-by-which-his-subjects-will-always-and/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself in times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-wise-prince-then-should-never-be-idle-in-times-of-peace-but-should/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“And you and your wise prince will talk long into the night, every night, and live to a ripe old age. And the children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-kingfisher/and-you-and-your-wise-prince-will-talk-long-into-the-night-every/) [T. Kingfisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-kingfisher/) > [“the wise prince is not always the most popular prince;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/the-wise-prince-is-not-always-the-most-popular-prince/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) ## 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 King quotes > [“Wasn’t it Machiavelli who said ‘Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darius-brasher/wasn-t-it-machiavelli-who-said-any-man-who-tries-to-be-good-all-the/) [Darius Brasher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darius-brasher/) > [“Kings don’t move mountains as a favor to a friend,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-whalen-turner/kings-don-t-move-mountains-as-a-favor-to-a-friend/) [Megan Whalen Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-whalen-turner/) > [People from all walks of life that you might find as a King Diamond fan - you don't look a certain way; you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-diamond/people-from-all-walks-of-life-that-you-might-find-as-a-king-diamond/) [King Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-diamond/) > ['Melanin Man' was inspired by the words of an Uber driver in L.A. Before I got out of the car he said, 'They're scared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masego/melanin-man-was-inspired-by-the-words-of-an-uber-driver-in-l-a-before/) [Masego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masego/) > [Kenny King, his character on TV is him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lashley/kenny-king-his-character-on-tv-is-him/) [Bobby Lashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lashley/) > [They say that the commons of England would first destroy the king's friends and afterward himself, and then bring the Duke of York to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-cade/they-say-that-the-commons-of-england-would-first-destroy-the-king-s/) [Jack Cade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-cade/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I never knew about racial segregation until Martin Luther King.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradley/i-never-knew-about-racial-segregation-until-martin-luther-king/) [Charles Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradley/) > [President Obama's achievements and failures must be evaluated by comparison to those chief executives who have come before him and not be measured against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-garrow/president-obama-s-achievements-and-failures-must-be-evaluated-by/) [David Garrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-garrow/) > [Had Elijah Muhammad tried to introduce an orthodox form of Arab-oriented Islam, I doubt if he would have attracted 500 people, but he introduced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henrik-clarke/had-elijah-muhammad-tried-to-introduce-an-orthodox-form-of-arab/) [John Henrik Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henrik-clarke/) > [Rest in peace, King Kong Bundy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-waltman/rest-in-peace-king-kong-bundy/) [Sean Waltman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-waltman/) > [My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-crown-is-in-my-heart-not-on-my-head-not-decked-with-diamonds-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Be a Kingmaker, Not Just a King.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-seow-how/be-a-kingmaker-not-just-a-king/) [Tan Seow How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-seow-how/) > [Being happy is better than being a King...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-sibiya/being-happy-is-better-than-being-a-king/) [Elton Sibiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-sibiya/) > [I'm like a big kid. But it's not like a called myself the Instagram King. I put up what people want to see and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-bilzerian/i-m-like-a-big-kid-but-it-s-not-like-a-called-myself-the-instagram/) [Dan Bilzerian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-bilzerian/) [Browse all 2,520 King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Niccolò Machiavelli" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "King" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2e/niccolo-machiavelli-368_wisdom_there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-o_1331205.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so…” — Niccolò 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": "Niccolò Machiavelli", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“There are many who think a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/#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 } } ] } ```