Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy. Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli Hence it happened that all the armed prophets conquered, all the unarmed perished. Niccolo Machiavelli unarmedprophetwar 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-bestlinesdecision 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 yieldpassionmen 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-warphilosophicalgod A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. Niccolo Machiavelli lossfatherson 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 freedompeacecountry 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-daywarorder To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders. Niccolo Machiavelli troopsvictorywar Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. Niccolo Machiavelli politicsambitionmen 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 philosophicalmenson 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 benefitspoliticalgiving 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 distrustconclusionhate 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-thingsdonemean Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Niccolo Machiavelli trainingbravemen Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophicalliteratureopportunity 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 favoureasypeople Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards. Niccolo Machiavelli menwarorder 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 rootsweatherfirsts Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them. Niccolo Machiavelli designablemen Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered. Niccolo Machiavelli opportunitywarart
