Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what…

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Imagination Quotes, Living Quotes, Reality Quotes

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...

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...

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

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

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the...

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the...

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...

Before all else, be armed.

Before all else, be armed.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

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,...

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

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

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

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

Politics have no relation to morals.

Politics have no relation to morals.

When politics and religion are intermingled, a people is suffused with a sense of invulnerability,...

When politics and religion are intermingled, a people is suffused with a sense of invulnerability,...

Politics are a very unsatisfactory game.

Politics are a very unsatisfactory game.