--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Therefore, a wise prince must think of a…" description: "\"“Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which his citizens will need the state and himself at all times and in every circumstance. Then the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/niccolo-machiavelli-368_king_therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a_469698.jpg" --- # Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which… ![“Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which his citizens will need the state and himself at all times and in every circumstance. Then they will always be loyal to him.” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/niccolo-machiavelli-368_king_therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a_469698.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/niccolo-machiavelli-368_king_therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a_469698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/029/niccolo-machiavelli-368_king_therefore-a-wise-prince-must-think-of-a_469698.jpg) > ““Therefore, a wise prince must think of a method by which his citizens will need the state and himself at all times and in every circumstance. Then they will always be loyal to him.”” [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 should design a system where citizens constantly rely on the state, ensuring their loyalty through dependence. **In simple terms:** Dependence on government creates loyalty. Key Takeaway Build mutual dependence. Themes politics power loyalty Mood cautious analytical Type political strategic When to use this quote - government policy - leadership training - public administration Key Concepts statecraft social contract dependency Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of a populace that depends entirely on the state? - How can a ruler balance dependence with autonomy? A Different Perspective Overreliance can stifle individual freedom and innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circumstance Loyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstance-loyal-4062741/) [Citizens Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-need-1184023/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Loyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal/) [Prince Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prince-think-1793343/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-prince-1345214/) ## Related quotes > [“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/) > [“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 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/) > [“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/) > [“There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-are-many-who-think-a-wise-prince-ought-when-he-has-the-chance/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Prince, I think, trained amazing musicians to bring more to any musical table they come to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-wilson/prince-i-think-trained-amazing-musicians-to-bring-more-to-any-musical/) [Nancy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-wilson/) > [If I'd have said to my 10-year-old self that I would be a Disney prince, I think he probably would've laughed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harris-dickinson/if-i-d-have-said-to-my-10-year-old-self-that-i-would-be-a-disney/) [Harris Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harris-dickinson/) > [“And the plunder was not just of Prince alone. Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/and-the-plunder-was-not-just-of-prince-alone-think-of-all-the-love/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [“Do you think they’re doing it?’ said Alexon. Charls coughed on his wine. ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘The King and Prince Laurent. Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/do-you-think-they-re-doing-it-said-alexon-charls-coughed-on-his-wine/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [“And how are such wars to be waged? The wise prince will begin by assuming the enemy to be infinitely corruptible and infinitely stupid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-machen/and-how-are-such-wars-to-be-waged-the-wise-prince-will-begin-by/) [Arthur Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-machen/) ## 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. 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