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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist...

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist...

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...

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope...

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope...

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

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

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

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

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

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

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should...

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should...

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

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

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites...

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites...

Each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this...

Each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this...

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

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

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...

I shall always esteem it not much to live in a city where the laws...

I shall always esteem it not much to live in a city where the laws...

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...

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

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

Before all else, be armed.

Before all else, be armed.

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

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

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

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

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe...

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe...