Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli Quotes
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Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see but few can test by feeling. Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are; and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion.
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The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.
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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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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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Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.
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He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.
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You do not know the unfathomable cowardice of humanity...servile in the face of force, pitiless in the face of weakness, implacable before blunders, indulgent before crimes...and patient to the point of martyrdom before all the violences of bold despotism.
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Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
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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.
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Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.
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Men are more ready to offend one who desires to be beloved than one who wishes to be feared.
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It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain.
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How perilous it is to free a people who prefer slavery.
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The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.
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Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
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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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...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.
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It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it.
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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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One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
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The ends justifies the means.
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It is better to be bold than too circumspect, because fortune is of a sex which likes not a tardy wooer and repulses all who are not ardent.
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Change has no constituency.
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...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.