Niccolo Machiavelli

Present wars impoverish the lords that win as much as those that lose.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage, and in accepting a less evil as a good.

Niccolo Machiavelli

question arises: whether it be better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with.

Niccolo Machiavelli

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

Returning to the question of being feared or loved, I conclude that since men love at their own will and fear at the will of the prince, a wise prince must build a foundation on what is his own, and not on what belongs to others.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Set down among these lice, this is how I keep the mold from my brain and find release from Fortune’s malice. I am content to have her beat me down this way to see if she won’t become ashamed.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.

Niccolo Machiavelli