Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be…

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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 wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

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

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

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

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...

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 yield so readily to the desires of the moment that...

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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

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

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust...

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust...

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

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

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one...

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one...

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...