Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities...

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities...

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.

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...

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should...

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should...

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...

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...

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...

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...

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more...

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more...

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...

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

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...

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

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...

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the...

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the...

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

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

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

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...

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.

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...