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

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...

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 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...

Politics have no relation to morals.

Politics have no relation to morals.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the...

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the...

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.

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.

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort...

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort...

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He...

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He...

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...

There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more...

There is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more...

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats...

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats...

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

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

The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes.

The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes.

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then...

I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then...