Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less...

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less...

Before all else, be armed.

Before all else, be armed.

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...

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...

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

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

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

I shall always esteem it not much to live in a city where the laws...

I shall always esteem it not much to live in a city where the laws...

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...

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...

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them...

Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them...

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there...

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there...

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...

Politics have no relation to morals.

Politics have no relation to morals.

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.

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...

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best...

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best...

Prudent people are very happy; 'tis an exceeding fine thing, that's certain, but I was...

Prudent people are very happy; 'tis an exceeding fine thing, that's certain, but I was...