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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones,...

The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones,...

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates...

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates...

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

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...

A son could bear complacently the death of his father while the loss of his...

A son could bear complacently the death of his father while the loss of his...

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...

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

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

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

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

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries...

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries...

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...