The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there cannot be good laws where there are not good arms... where there are good arms there must be good laws...

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Constitution Quotes, Justice Quotes, Law And Lawyers Quotes, Weapons Quotes

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust...

When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust...

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand...

There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand...

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...

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...

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when...

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when...

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...