Niccolò Machiavelli quotes - page 2

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise. (Niccolò Machiavelli)

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

It is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman.

Niccolò Machiavelli

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

There are three classes of intellects one which comprehends by itself another which appreciates what others comprehend and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others the first is the most excellent, the second is good, the third is useless.

Niccolò Machiavelli

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

Niccolò Machiavelli

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.

Niccolò Machiavelli

You must know, then, that there are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts; but as the first method is often insufficient, one must have recourse to the second.

Niccolò Machiavelli

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways. (Niccolò Machiavelli)

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolò Machiavelli

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed.

Niccolò Machiavelli

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.

Niccolò Machiavelli

For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Therefore the best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses they will not save you if you are hated by the people.

Niccolò Machiavelli

I hold strongly to this: that it is better to be impetuous than circumspect; because fortune is a woman and if she is to be submissive it is necessary to beat and coerce her.

Niccolò Machiavelli

And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame. (Niccolò Machiavelli)

Is it better to be loved or feared?

Niccolò 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 adulation is lacking.

Niccolò Machiavelli

So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.

Niccolò Machiavelli

The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

Niccolò Machiavelli

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Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli - Image

Occupation: Italian Diplomat
Born: May 3, 1469
Died: June 21, 1527
Quotes count: 209
Wikipedia: Niccolò Machiavelli

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