A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity. Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope. Niccolo Machiavelli evillawmen To keep your actions and your plans secret always has been a very good thing . .. Marcus Crassus said to one who asked him when he was going to move the army: 'Do you believe that you will be the only one not to hear the trumpet? Niccolo Machiavelli armybelievemoving Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if they are to be observed, have need of good morals. Niccolo Machiavelli politicslawneeds Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain. Niccolo Machiavelli fickleliteraturemay Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it. Niccolo Machiavelli lawgivingmen When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor. Niccolo Machiavelli menwarart No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury. Niccolo Machiavelli opportunitywarart The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar. Niccolo Machiavelli crowdstakenworld Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her. Niccolo Machiavelli fortunemaymen The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body. Niccolo Machiavelli bodywarart Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better. Niccolo Machiavelli warpeopleart All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms. Niccolo Machiavelli republicstatesmen To be feared is much safer then to be loved. Niccolo Machiavelli Cruelties should be committed all at once. Niccolo Machiavelli crueltycommittedshould To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else. Niccolo Machiavelli opportunitywarart ....it cannot be called ingenuity to kill one's fellow citizens, to betray friends, to be without faith, without mercy, without religion; by these means one can aquire power but not glory. Niccolo Machiavelli citizenspoliticsmean To know well the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to know well the nature of princes one must be of the people. Niccolo Machiavelli literaturepeople Men are more ready to offend one who desires to be beloved than one who wishes to be feared. Niccolo Machiavelli wishmenlife Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked. Niccolo Machiavelli yieldsimplemen Human beings remain constant in their methods of conduct. Niccolo Machiavelli methodconstanthumans
