The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire…

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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...

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,...

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.

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...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one...

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one...

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...

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort...

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort...

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues...

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues...

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...

I have always been an admirer. I regard the gift of admiration as indispensable if...

I have always been an admirer. I regard the gift of admiration as indispensable if...

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.