States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Nations Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

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

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...

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.

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...

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...

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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.

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...

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...

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...

As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some...

As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some...

Imagination gallops; judgment merely walks

Imagination gallops; judgment merely walks

The key to life is imagination. If you don't have that, no mater what you...

The key to life is imagination. If you don't have that, no mater what you...

A sign of growing old is when interviewers start asking you,What would you do differently...

A sign of growing old is when interviewers start asking you,What would you do differently...

The best way to keep something bad from happening is to see it ahead of...

The best way to keep something bad from happening is to see it ahead of...