Niccolo Machiavelli

For love is held by the tie of obligation, which, because men are a sorry breed, is broken on every whisper of private interest; but fear is bound by the apprehension of punishment which never relaxes its grasp.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For on Cardinal Rohan saying to me that the Italians did not understand war, I replied that the French did not understand politics.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For since a Prince by birth has fewer occasions and less need to give offence, he ought to be better loved, and will naturally be popular with his subjects unless outrageous vices make him odious.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For the friendships which we buy with a price, and do not gain by greatness and nobility of character, though they be fairly earned are not made good, but fail us when we have occasion to use them.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For titles do not reflect honor on men, but rather men on their titles.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For when you are on the spot, disorders are detected in their beginnings and remedies can be readily applied; but when you are at a distance, they are not heard of until they have gathered strength and the case is past cure.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For whoever believes that great advancement and new benefits make men forget old injuries is mistaken.

Niccolo Machiavelli

For without invention, no one was ever a great man in his own trade.

Niccolo Machiavelli