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

Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

Topics: Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity...

Before all else, be armed.

Before all else, be armed.

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.

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it...

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity...

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity...

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...

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it...

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.

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

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

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.