Niccolo Machiavelli

It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

Niccolo Machiavelli

it is essential that in entering a new Province you should have the good will of its inhabitants.

Niccolo Machiavelli

it is far better to earn the confidence of the people than to rely on fortresses.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to enslave a people that wants to remain free.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.

Niccolo Machiavelli

It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler. For men are so simple, and yield so much to immediate necessity, that the deceiver will never lack dupes.

Niccolo Machiavelli