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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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.

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of...

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of...

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.

There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand...

There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand...

It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.

It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so...

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so...

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...

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...

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.

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...

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one...

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one...

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of...

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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,...