Niccolo Machiavelli quote: "A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it."

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the pri...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will alwa...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have bee...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Before all else, be armed.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengea...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

No one should be astonished if in the following discussion of completely new princedoms and of the p...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

From this we learn that a wise prince sees to it that never, in order to attack someone, does he bec...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I hope and hoping feeds my pain
I weep and weeping feeds my failing heart
I laugh but the lau...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It should be noted that when he seizes a state the new ruler ought to determine all the injuries tha...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men seldom rise from low condition to high rank without employing either force or fraud, unless that...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, can...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There are three kinds of intelligence; one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach we are never satis...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execu...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even t...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, can...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and a...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Your son at five is your master, at ten your slave, at fifteen your double, and after that, your fri...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach we are never sat...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Since love and fear can hardly coexist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer t...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and o...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bl...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

"Corruption continues with us beyond the grave," She said, "and then plays merry hell with all ideas
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this system was...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there cannot be good laws...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if th...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

God creates men, but they choose each other.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereaf...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Never was anything great achieved without danger.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either throu...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Politics have no relation to morals.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and the...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all t...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be rui...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those d...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

War is a profession by which a man cannot live honorably; an employment by which the soldier, if he ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more uncertain in its s...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the marjority of men live content.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates wh...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every o...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study bu...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

War cannot be avoided; it can only be postponed to the other's advantage.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however mu...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would l...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which g...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

No one should therefore fear that he cannot accomplish what others have accomplished, for, men are b...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

For as good habits of the people require good laws to support them, so laws, to be observed, need go...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I shall always esteem it not much to live in a city where the laws do less than men, because that fa...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfie...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Make no small plans for they have not the power to stir men’s blood.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to ha...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them onc...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it doe...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Never was anything great achieved without danger
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Wise men say, and not without reason, that whoever wished to foresee the future might consult the pa...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been out...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if th...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would l...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The ends justifies the means
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine au...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in real...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those d...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Where the willingness is great the difficulties cannot be great
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victi...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A son could bear complacently the death of his father while the loss of his inheritance might drive ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so the disregar...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

May princes know then that they begin to lose (their) state at that hour in which they begin to brea...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of fa...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

The question is, then, do we try to make things easy on ourselves or do we try to make things easy o...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your ow...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good manners that law ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of t...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either throu...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

There should be many judges, for few will always do the will of few. [It., Bisogna che i giudici ...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI (MACCHIAVELLI)

The acme of judicial distinction means the ability to look a lawyer straight in the eyes for two ho...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI (MACCHIAVELLI)

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI (MACCHIAVELLI)

A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance...
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI (MACCHIAVELLI)

I am not handsome, but when women hear me play, they come crawling to my feet.
NICCOLO PAGANINI

Yesterday's reaction was exaggerated. The trend is on the rise. Advanced Micro figures confirm it.
NICCOLO PINI

The violin is my mistress, but the guitar is my master.
NICCOLO PAGANINI

One can only conclude that they (magistrates) want to interfere with the election campaign.
NICCOLO GHEDINI

At Vienna, one of the audience affirmed publicly that my performance was not surprising, for he had ...
NICCOLO PAGANINI

I'm indignant. Berlusconi is not at all involved in this. I don't know if this was motivated by elec...
NICCOLO GHEDINI

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind y...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Thus it is well to seem merciful faithful humane religious and upright and also to be so but the min...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

... He who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order o...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which apprec...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Considering thus how much honor is awarded to antiquity, and how many times—letting pass infinite ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Never was anything great achieved without danger.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

CHAPTER VI
Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired By One's Own Arms And Ability
...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

... When Princes devote themselves rather to pleasure than to arms, they lose their dominions.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every o...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuri...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them;...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of succes...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are no...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most e...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changi...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

How we live is so different from how we ought to live that he who studies what ought to be done rath...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

…he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation whic...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

... From want of foresight men make changes which relishing well at first do not betray their hidden...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

… to a Prince who wants to do great things, it is necessary to learn to deceive.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it ...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

It is of the greatest important in this world that a man should know himself, and the measure of his...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

... If instead of colonies you send troops, the cost is vastly greater, and the whole revenues of th...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

... Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to live in freedom and does no destroy it, may recko...
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

Verträge bricht man um des Nutzens willen.
NICCOLò MACHIAVELLI

A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it.

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Niccolo Machiavelli

A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it.

Niccolo Machiavelli

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