Niccolo Machiavelli

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A multitude is strong while it holds together, but so soon as each of those who compose it begins ro think of his own private danger, it becomes weak and contemptible.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince is also esteemed when he is a true friend and a true enemy.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince need take little account of conspiracies if the people are disposed in his favor.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince need trouble little about conspiracies when the people are well disposed, but when they are hostile and hold him in hatred, then he must fear everything and everybody.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A Prince should esteem the great, but must not make himself odious to the people.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study but war and it organization and discipline, for that is the only art that is necessary to one who commands.

Niccolo Machiavelli