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 More Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli More Quotes From Niccolo Machiavelli The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don't just go away, they are only postponed to someone else's advantage. Therefore, they made war with Philip and Antiochus in Greece, in order not to have to fight them in Italy... They never went by that saying which you constantly hear from the wiseacres of our day, that time heals all things. They trusted rather their own character and prudence- knowing perfectly well that time contains the seeds of all things, good as well as bad. Niccolo Machiavelli character war art Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions. Niccolo Machiavelli hype simple men Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties. Niccolo Machiavelli difficulty ignorance men He who desires or attempts to reform the government of a state and wishes to have it accepted, must at least retain the semblance of the old forms; so that it may seem to the people that there has been no change in the institutions, even though in fact they are entirely different from the old ones. For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities. Niccolo Machiavelli government reality people Necessities can be many, but the one that is stronger is that which constrains you to win or to die. Niccolo Machiavelli winning war art A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophical wise reality When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred. Niccolo Machiavelli confidence gun people It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. Niccolo Machiavelli philosophical honor men the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour. Niccolo Machiavelli perfection wise men For, besides what has been said, it should be borne in mind that the temper of the multitude is fickle, and that while it is easy to persuade them of a thing, it is hard to fix them in that persuasion Niccolo Machiavelli fickle persuasion mind For government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to do [it] harm. Niccolo Machiavelli able causes government Well used are those cruelties (if it is permitted to speak well of evil) that are carried out in a single stroke, done out of necessity to protect oneself, and are not continued but are instead converted into the greatest possible benefits for the subjects. Badly used are those cruelties which. although being few at the outset, grow with the passing time instead of disappearing. Those who follow the first method can remedy their condition with God and with men; the others cannot possibly survive. Niccolo Machiavelli done evil men Anyone who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it may expect to be destroyed by it; for such a city may always justify rebellion in the name of liberty and its ancient institutions. Niccolo Machiavelli liberty cities names Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain. Niccolo Machiavelli fickle ungrateful men Few men are brave by nature, but good discipline and experience make many so. Niccolo Machiavelli men war art Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony Niccolo Machiavelli loss father death The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all. Niccolo Machiavelli decision-making business needs I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself. Niccolo Machiavelli revenge expression men By the delusions of seeming good the people are often misled to desire their own ruin; and they are frequently influenced by great hopes and brave promises. Niccolo Machiavelli brave people promise When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content. Niccolo Machiavelli happy happiness men
