There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when everyone can tell you the truth, you lose their respect.

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Truth Quotes

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

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

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...

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

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

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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.

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 are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that...

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that...

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.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe...

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe...

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver...

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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...

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...

Before all else, be armed.

Before all else, be armed.

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 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...