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

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...

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach...

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets...

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets...

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...

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than...

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than...

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.