To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else. Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli There is simply no comparison between a man who is armed and one who is not. It is simply unreasonable to expect that an armed man should obey one who is unarmed, or that an unarmed man should remain safe and secure when his servants are armed. Niccolo Machiavelli men war art In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity, reascend; and thus from good they gradually decline to evil, and from evil again return to good. The reason is, that valor produces peace; peace, repose; repose, disorder; disorder, ruin; so from disorder order springs; from order virtue, and from this, glory and good fortune. Niccolo Machiavelli spring war art One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well, they are yours. They would shed their blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their children, so long, as I said above, as danger is remote; but when you are in danger they turn against you. Niccolo Machiavelli liars men children A prudent man... must behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target. Niccolo Machiavelli archer war art Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies. Niccolo Machiavelli republic diversity democracy If the present be compared with the remote past, it is easily seen that in all cities and in all peoples there are the same desires and the same passions as there always were. Niccolo Machiavelli passion cities past There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless. Niccolo Machiavelli intelligence appreciate intelligent When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how to seize the opportunity she offers. Niccolo Machiavelli successful opportunity men He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his. Niccolo Machiavelli live-by reason Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Hence a prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires. Niccolo Machiavelli numbers trying men When settling disputes between his subjects, he should ensure that his judgement is irrevocable; and he should be so regarded that no one ever dreams of trying to deceive or trick him. Niccolo Machiavelli dream war art Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are. Niccolo Machiavelli eye men hands Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them. Niccolo Machiavelli majesty war art No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophical business war Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours. Niccolo Machiavelli war mean art It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather. Niccolo Machiavelli common weather men One should never permit a disorder to persist in order to avoid a war, for wars cannot be avoided and can only be deferred to the advantage of others. Niccolo Machiavelli war peace order There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you. Niccolo Machiavelli flattery men way It is a true observation of ancient writers, that as men are apt to be cast down by adversity, so they, are easily satiated with prosperity, and that joy and grief produce the same effects. For whenever men are not obliged by necessity to fight they fight from ambition, which is so powerful a passion in the human breast that however high we reach we are never satisfied. Niccolo Machiavelli powerful grief ambition Therefore the best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses they will not save you if you are hated by the people. Niccolo Machiavelli hate love people
