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

Politics have no relation to morals.

Politics have no relation to morals.

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...

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...

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 fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily...

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

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...

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 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...

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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