War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He...

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He...

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...

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

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 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...

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born...

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of...

For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of...

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...

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...

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the...

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the...

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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...

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so...

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so...

Democracy is based upon so childish a complex of fallacies that they must be protected...

Democracy is based upon so childish a complex of fallacies that they must be protected...

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the...

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the...