Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli Quotes
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If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.
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There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.
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The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.
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One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
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Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself.
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It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.
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I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words toward anyone, for neither diminishes the strength of the enemy.
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The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws and good arms you cannot have good laws without good arms, and where there are good arms, good laws inevitably follow.
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Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them.
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A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.
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We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
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You must never believe that the enemy does not know how to conduct his own affairs. Indeed, if you want to be deceived less and want to bear less danger, the more the enemy is weak or the less the enemy is cautious, so much more must you esteem him.
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...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.
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So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.
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In the armies and among every ten men there is one of more life, of more heart, or at least of more authority, who with his courage, with words and by example keeps the others firm and disposed to fight.
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Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.
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...the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour.
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The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.
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God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
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Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.
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No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.
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Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.
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The people resemble a wild beast, which, naturally fierce and accustomed to live in the woods, has been brought up, as it were, in a prison and in servitude, and having by accident got its liberty, not being accustomed to search for its food, and not knowing where to conceal itself, easily becomes the prey of the first who seeks to incarcerate it again.
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And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is merited but is not secured, and at times is not to be had.