Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes And Sayings

Niccolò Machiavelli, or more formally Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, was an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer. He has often been called the founder of modern political science. He was for many years a senior official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry.

It Is Not Titles That Honor Men, But Men That Honor Titles.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (10) - It Is Not Titles That Honor Men... - QuotesIt Is Not Titles That Honor Men, But Men That Honor Titles.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (10) - It Is Not Titles That Honor Men... - Quotes

He Who Wishes To Be Obeyed Must Know How To Command.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (1) - He Who Wishes To Be Obeyed Must ... - QuotesHe Who Wishes To Be Obeyed Must Know How To Command.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (1) - He Who Wishes To Be Obeyed Must ... - Quotes

The First Method For Estimating The Intelligence Of A Ruler Is To Look At The Men He Has Around Him.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (11) - The First Method For Estimating... - QuotesThe First Method For Estimating The Intelligence Of A Ruler Is To Look At The Men He Has Around Him.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (11) - The First Method For Estimating... - Quotes

A Return To First Principles In A Republic Is Sometimes Caused By The Simple Virtues Of One Man. His Good Example Has Such An Influence That The Good Men Strive To Imitate Him, And The Wicked Are Ashamed To Lead A Life So Contrary To His Example.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (13) - A Return To First Principles In... - QuotesA Return To First Principles In A Republic Is Sometimes Caused By The Simple Virtues Of One Man. His Good Example Has Such An Influence That The Good Men Strive To Imitate Him, And The Wicked Are Ashamed To Lead A Life So Contrary To His Example.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (13) - A Return To First Principles In... - Quotes

Men Are So Simple And Yield So Readily To The Desires Of The Moment That He Who Will Trick Will Always Find Another Who Will Suffer To Be Tricked.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (12) - Men Are So Simple And Yield So ... - QuotesMen Are So Simple And Yield So Readily To The Desires Of The Moment That He Who Will Trick Will Always Find Another Who Will Suffer To Be Tricked.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (12) - Men Are So Simple And Yield So ... - Quotes

No Enterprise Is More Likely To Succeed Than One Concealed From The Enemy Until It Is Ripe For Execution.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (15) - No Enterprise Is More Likely To... - QuotesNo Enterprise Is More Likely To Succeed Than One Concealed From The Enemy Until It Is Ripe For Execution.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (15) - No Enterprise Is More Likely To... - Quotes

A Wise Ruler Ought Never To Keep Faith When By Doing So It Would Be Against His Interests.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (14) - A Wise Ruler Ought Never To Kee... - QuotesA Wise Ruler Ought Never To Keep Faith When By Doing So It Would Be Against His Interests.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (14) - A Wise Ruler Ought Never To Kee... - Quotes

One Who Deceives Will Always Find Those Who Allow Themselves To Be Deceived.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (16) - One Who Deceives Will Always Fi... - QuotesOne Who Deceives Will Always Find Those Who Allow Themselves To Be Deceived.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (16) - One Who Deceives Will Always Fi... - Quotes

Whosoever Desires Constant Success Must Change His Conduct With The Times.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (18) - Whosoever Desires Constant Succ... - QuotesWhosoever Desires Constant Success Must Change His Conduct With The Times.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (18) - Whosoever Desires Constant Succ... - Quotes

The New Ruler Must Determine All The Injuries That He Will Need To Inflict. He Must Inflict Them Once And For All.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (17) - The New Ruler Must Determine Al... - QuotesThe New Ruler Must Determine All The Injuries That He Will Need To Inflict. He Must Inflict Them Once And For All.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (17) - The New Ruler Must Determine Al... - Quotes

War Is Just When It Is Necessary; Arms Are Permissible When There Is No Hope Except In Arms.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (20) - War Is Just When It Is Necessar... - QuotesWar Is Just When It Is Necessary; Arms Are Permissible When There Is No Hope Except In Arms.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (20) - War Is Just When It Is Necessar... - Quotes

To Understand The Nature Of The People One Must Be A Prince, And To Understand The Nature Of The Prince, One Must Be Of The People.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (22) - To Understand The Nature Of The... - QuotesTo Understand The Nature Of The People One Must Be A Prince, And To Understand The Nature Of The Prince, One Must Be Of The People.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (22) - To Understand The Nature Of The... - Quotes

Whoever Conquers A Free Town And Does Not Demolish It Commits A Great Error And May Expect To Be Ruined Himself.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (21) - Whoever Conquers A Free Town An... - QuotesWhoever Conquers A Free Town And Does Not Demolish It Commits A Great Error And May Expect To Be Ruined Himself.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (21) - Whoever Conquers A Free Town An... - Quotes

Men Ought Either To Be Indulged Or Utterly Destroyed, For If You Merely Offend Them They Take Vengeance, But If You Injure Them Greatly They Are Unable To Retaliate, So That The Injury Done To A Man Ought To Be Such That Vengeance Cannot Be Feared.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (2) - Men Ought Either To Be Indulged ... - QuotesMen Ought Either To Be Indulged Or Utterly Destroyed, For If You Merely Offend Them They Take Vengeance, But If You Injure Them Greatly They Are Unable To Retaliate, So That The Injury Done To A Man Ought To Be Such That Vengeance Cannot Be Feared.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (2) - Men Ought Either To Be Indulged ... - Quotes

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 Quotes (19) - Severities Should Be Dealt Out ... - QuotesSeverities 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 Quotes (19) - Severities Should Be Dealt Out ... - Quotes

Hatred Is Gained As Much By Good Works As By Evil.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (25) - Hatred Is Gained As Much By Goo... - QuotesHatred Is Gained As Much By Good Works As By Evil.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (25) - Hatred Is Gained As Much By Goo... - Quotes

Princes And Governments Are Far More Dangerous Than Other Elements Within Society.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (23) - Princes And Governments Are Far... - QuotesPrinces And Governments Are Far More Dangerous Than Other Elements Within Society.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (23) - Princes And Governments Are Far... - Quotes

The Fact Is That A Man Who Wants To Act Virtuously In Every Way Necessarily Comes To Grief Among So Many Who Are Not Virtuous.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (26) - The Fact Is That A Man Who Want... - QuotesThe Fact Is That A Man Who Wants To Act Virtuously In Every Way Necessarily Comes To Grief Among So Many Who Are Not Virtuous.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (26) - The Fact Is That A Man Who Want... - Quotes

One Change Always Leaves The Way Open For The Establishment Of Others.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (24) - One Change Always Leaves The Wa... - QuotesOne Change Always Leaves The Way Open For The Establishment Of Others.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (24) - One Change Always Leaves The Wa... - Quotes

The Main Foundations Of Every State, New States As Well As Ancient Or Composite Ones, Are Good Laws And Good Arms You Cannot Have Good Laws Without Good Arms, And Where There Are Good Arms, Good Laws Inevitably Follow.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (27) - The Main Foundations Of Every S... - QuotesThe Main Foundations Of Every State, New States As Well As Ancient Or Composite Ones, Are Good Laws And Good Arms You Cannot Have Good Laws Without Good Arms, And Where There Are Good Arms, Good Laws Inevitably Follow.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (27) - The Main Foundations Of Every S... - Quotes

Never Was Anything Great Achieved Without Danger.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (30) - Never Was Anything Great Achiev... - QuotesNever Was Anything Great Achieved Without Danger.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (30) - Never Was Anything Great Achiev... - Quotes

It Is Better To Be Feared Than Loved, If You Cannot Be Both.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (3) - It Is Better To Be Feared Than L... - QuotesIt Is Better To Be Feared Than Loved, If You Cannot Be Both.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (3) - It Is Better To Be Feared Than L... - Quotes

God Is Not Willing To Do Everything, And Thus Take Away Our Free Will And That Share Of Glory Which Belongs To Us.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (28) - God Is Not Willing To Do Everyt... - QuotesGod Is Not Willing To Do Everything, And Thus Take Away Our Free Will And That Share Of Glory Which Belongs To Us.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (28) - God Is Not Willing To Do Everyt... - Quotes

The Wish To Acquire More Is Admittedly A Very Natural And Common Thing; And When Men Succeed In This They Are Always Praised Rather Than Condemned. But When They Lack The Ability To Do So And Yet Want To Acquire More At All Costs, They Deserve Condemnation For Their Mistakes.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (29) - The Wish To Acquire More Is Adm... - QuotesThe Wish To Acquire More Is Admittedly A Very Natural And Common Thing; And When Men Succeed In This They Are Always Praised Rather Than Condemned. But When They Lack The Ability To Do So And Yet Want To Acquire More At All Costs, They Deserve Condemnation For Their Mistakes.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (29) - The Wish To Acquire More Is Adm... - Quotes

Tardiness Often Robs Us Opportunity, And The Dispatch Of Our Forces.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (31) - Tardiness Often Robs Us Opportu... - QuotesTardiness Often Robs Us Opportunity, And The Dispatch Of Our Forces.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (31) - Tardiness Often Robs Us Opportu... - Quotes

I'm Not Interested In Preserving The Status Quo; I Want To Overthrow It.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (32) - I'm Not Interested In Preservin... - QuotesI'm Not Interested In Preserving The Status Quo; I Want To Overthrow It.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (32) - I'm Not Interested In Preservin... - Quotes

Men Are So Simple And So Much Inclined To Obey Immediate Needs That A Deceiver Will Never Lack Victims For His Deceptions.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (34) - Men Are So Simple And So Much I... - QuotesMen Are So Simple And So Much Inclined To Obey Immediate Needs That A Deceiver Will Never Lack Victims For His Deceptions.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (34) - Men Are So Simple And So Much I... - Quotes

There Is No Surer Sign Of Decay In A Country Than To See The Rites Of Religion Held In Contempt.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (33) - There Is No Surer Sign Of Decay... - QuotesThere Is No Surer Sign Of Decay In A Country Than To See The Rites Of Religion Held In Contempt.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (33) - There Is No Surer Sign Of Decay... - Quotes

Men Should Be Either Treated Generously Or Destroyed, Because They Take Revenge For Slight Injuries - For Heavy Ones They Cannot.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (35) - Men Should Be Either Treated Ge... - QuotesMen Should Be Either Treated Generously Or Destroyed, Because They Take Revenge For Slight Injuries - For Heavy Ones They Cannot.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (35) - Men Should Be Either Treated Ge... - Quotes

There Are Three Kinds Of Intelligence: One Kind Understands Things For Itself, The Other Appreciates What Others Can Understand, The Third Understands Neither For Itself Nor Through Others. This First Kind Is Excellent, The Second Good, And The Third Kind Useless.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (36) - There Are Three Kinds Of Intell... - QuotesThere Are Three Kinds Of Intelligence: One Kind Understands Things For Itself, The Other Appreciates What Others Can Understand, The Third Understands Neither For Itself Nor Through Others. This First Kind Is Excellent, The Second Good, And The Third Kind Useless.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (36) - There Are Three Kinds Of Intell... - Quotes

It Is Double Pleasure To Deceive The Deceiver.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (37) - It Is Double Pleasure To Deceiv... - QuotesIt Is Double Pleasure To Deceive The Deceiver.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (37) - It Is Double Pleasure To Deceiv... - Quotes

Nature That Framed Us Of Four Elements, Warring Within Our Breasts For Regiment, Doth Teach Us All To Have Aspiring Minds.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (39) - Nature That Framed Us Of Four E... - QuotesNature That Framed Us Of Four Elements, Warring Within Our Breasts For Regiment, Doth Teach Us All To Have Aspiring Minds.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (39) - Nature That Framed Us Of Four E... - Quotes

Politics Have No Relation To Morals.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (4) - Politics Have No Relation To Mor... - QuotesPolitics Have No Relation To Morals.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (4) - Politics Have No Relation To Mor... - Quotes

A Son Can Bear With Equanimity The Loss Of His Father, But The Loss Of His Inheritance May Drive Him To Despair.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (38) - A Son Can Bear With Equanimity ... - QuotesA Son Can Bear With Equanimity The Loss Of His Father, But The Loss Of His Inheritance May Drive Him To Despair.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (38) - A Son Can Bear With Equanimity ... - Quotes

The Distinction Between Children And Adults, While Probably Useful For Some Purposes, Is At Bottom A Specious One, I Feel. There Are Only Individual Egos, Crazy For Love.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (40) - The Distinction Between Childre... - QuotesThe Distinction Between Children And Adults, While Probably Useful For Some Purposes, Is At Bottom A Specious One, I Feel. There Are Only Individual Egos, Crazy For Love.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (40) - The Distinction Between Childre... - Quotes

Before All Else, Be Armed.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (43) - Before All Else, Be Armed.... - QuotesBefore All Else, Be Armed.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (43) - Before All Else, Be Armed.... - Quotes

It Is Much More Secure To Be Feared Than To Be Loved.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (45) - It Is Much More Secure To Be Fe... - QuotesIt Is Much More Secure To Be Feared Than To Be Loved.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (45) - It Is Much More Secure To Be Fe... - Quotes

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 Quotes (44) - When You Disarm The People, You... - QuotesWhen 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 Quotes (44) - When You Disarm The People, You... - Quotes

We Cannot Attribute To Fortune Or Virtue That Which Is Achieved Without Either.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (42) - We Cannot Attribute To Fortune ... - QuotesWe Cannot Attribute To Fortune Or Virtue That Which Is Achieved Without Either.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (42) - We Cannot Attribute To Fortune ... - Quotes

The Wise Man Does At Once What The Fool Does Finally.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (41) - The Wise Man Does At Once What ... - QuotesThe Wise Man Does At Once What The Fool Does Finally.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (41) - The Wise Man Does At Once What ... - Quotes

The Promise Given Was A Necessity Of The Past: The Word Broken Is A Necessity Of The Present.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (46) - The Promise Given Was A Necessi... - QuotesThe Promise Given Was A Necessity Of The Past: The Word Broken Is A Necessity Of The Present.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (46) - The Promise Given Was A Necessi... - Quotes

Men Rise From One Ambition To Another: First, They Seek To Secure Themselves Against Attack, And Then They Attack Others.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (47) - Men Rise From One Ambition To A... - QuotesMen Rise From One Ambition To Another: First, They Seek To Secure Themselves Against Attack, And Then They Attack Others.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (47) - Men Rise From One Ambition To A... - Quotes

Where The Willingness Is Great, The Difficulties Cannot Be Great.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (5) - Where The Willingness Is Great, ... - QuotesWhere The Willingness Is Great, The Difficulties Cannot Be Great.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (5) - Where The Willingness Is Great, ... - Quotes

Men Shrink Less From Offending One Who Inspires Love Than One Who Inspires Fear.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (48) - Men Shrink Less From Offending ... - QuotesMen Shrink Less From Offending One Who Inspires Love Than One Who Inspires Fear.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (48) - Men Shrink Less From Offending ... - Quotes

If An Injury Has To Be Done To A Man It Should Be So Severe That His Vengeance Need Not Be Feared.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (49) - If An Injury Has To Be Done To ... - QuotesIf An Injury Has To Be Done To A Man It Should Be So Severe That His Vengeance Need Not Be Feared.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (49) - If An Injury Has To Be Done To ... - Quotes

Hence It Comes About That All Armed Prophets Have Been Victorious, And All Unarmed Prophets Have Been Destroyed.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (51) - Hence It Comes About That All A... - QuotesHence It Comes About That All Armed Prophets Have Been Victorious, And All Unarmed Prophets Have Been Destroyed.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (51) - Hence It Comes About That All A... - Quotes

For Among Other Evils Caused By Being Disarmed, It Renders You Contemptible; Which Is One Of Those Disgraceful Things Which A Prince Must Guard Against.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (50) - For Among Other Evils Caused By... - QuotesFor Among Other Evils Caused By Being Disarmed, It Renders You Contemptible; Which Is One Of Those Disgraceful Things Which A Prince Must Guard Against.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (50) - For Among Other Evils Caused By... - Quotes

Of Mankind We May Say In General They Are Fickle, Hypocritical, And Greedy Of Gain.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (54) - Of Mankind We May Say In Genera... - QuotesOf Mankind We May Say In General They Are Fickle, Hypocritical, And Greedy Of Gain.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (54) - Of Mankind We May Say In Genera... - Quotes

War Should Be The Only Study Of A Prince. He Should Consider Peace Only As A Breathing-time, Which Gives Him Leisure To Contrive, And Furnishes As Ability To Execute, Military Plans.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (53) - War Should Be The Only Study Of... - QuotesWar Should Be The Only Study Of A Prince. He Should Consider Peace Only As A Breathing-time, Which Gives Him Leisure To Contrive, And Furnishes As Ability To Execute, Military Plans.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (53) - War Should Be The Only Study Of... - Quotes

The One Who Adapts His Policy To The Times Prospers, And Likewise That The One Whose Policy Clashes With The Demands Of The Times Does Not.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (52) - The One Who Adapts His Policy T... - QuotesThe One Who Adapts His Policy To The Times Prospers, And Likewise That The One Whose Policy Clashes With The Demands Of The Times Does Not.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes (52) - The One Who Adapts His Policy T... - Quotes