One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor. Niccolo Machiavelli vigorcertainmean It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him. Niccolo Machiavelli warmeanart For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit. Niccolo Machiavelli fit It is better to be bold than too circumspect, because fortune is of a sex which likes not a tardy wooer and repulses all who are not ardent. Niccolo Machiavelli likesfortunesex There are three kinds of minds: first those that attain insight and understanding of things by their own means, then those that recognize what is right when others explain it to them, and finally those that are capable of neither one nor the other. Niccolo Machiavelli understandingmindmean I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking. Niccolo Machiavelli warbelieveart Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared. Niccolo Machiavelli politicalmenwar In war, discipline can do more than fury. Niccolo Machiavelli disciplinewarart And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defense. Niccolo Machiavelli defensewayneeds Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophicalbenefitsphilosophy A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and confident; for, with a very few examples, he will be more merciful than those who, from excess of tenderness, allow disorders to arise, from whence spring murders and rapine; for these as a rule injure the whole community, while the executions carried out by the prince injure only one individual. And of all princes, it is impossible for a new prince to escape the name of cruel, new states being always full of dangers. Niccolo Machiavelli springwarart From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved. Niccolo Machiavelli fearwishtogether Never lead your soldiers to battle if you have not first confirmed their spirit and known them to be without fear and ordered; and never test them except when you see that they hope to win. Niccolo Machiavelli winningwarart Is it better to be loved or feared? Niccolo Machiavelli The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed. Niccolo Machiavelli losswarart Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophicalchangesuccess Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them. Niccolo Machiavelli menwarart And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy. Niccolo Machiavelli ordermeanbelieve Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, the third is useless. Niccolo Machiavelli appreciatethreeclass There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society. Niccolo Machiavelli societyseems
