A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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...

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,...

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than...

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than...

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when...

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when...

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...

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

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.

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...

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...

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

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...

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach...

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach...

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

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...

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.

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...

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones,...

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones,...

Better no law than law not enforced

Better no law than law not enforced

He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will...

He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will...

A sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer's hands

A sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer's hands