(A ruler) cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interests or when the reason he pledged it no longer holds. Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength. Niccolo Machiavelli opinion wise men Hence it happened that all the armed prophets conquered, all the unarmed perished. Niccolo Machiavelli unarmed prophet war Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger. Niccolo Machiavelli being-the-best lines decision Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety. Niccolo Machiavelli yield passion men God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. Niccolo Machiavelli art-of-war philosophical god A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. Niccolo Machiavelli loss father son Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or of shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be: What course will save the life and liberty of the country? Niccolo Machiavelli freedom peace country One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage Niccolo Machiavelli memorial-day war order To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders. Niccolo Machiavelli troops victory war Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. Niccolo Machiavelli politics ambition men One can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and while you work for their good they are completely yours, offering you their blood, their property, their lives, and their sons when danger is far away; but when it comes nearer to you, they turn away. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophical men son Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more. Niccolo Machiavelli benefits political giving When you disarm your subjects, however, you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you. Niccolo Machiavelli distrust conclusion hate We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed. Niccolo Machiavelli great-things done mean Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Niccolo Machiavelli training brave men Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophical literature opportunity He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed Niccolo Machiavelli favour easy people Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards. Niccolo Machiavelli men war order States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them Niccolo Machiavelli roots weather firsts Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them. Niccolo Machiavelli design able men
