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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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

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

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and...

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and...

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as...

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as...

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

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

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there...

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there...

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born...

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born...

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more...

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more...

When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or...

When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or...

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

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

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less...

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less...

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but...

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but...

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

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

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

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

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

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues...

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues...

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver...

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver...

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

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

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

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

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