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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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...

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

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...

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

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

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 in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but...

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but...

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...

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...

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...

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

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

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

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...

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...