"Without doubt, ferocious and disordered men are much weaker than timid and ordered ones. For order chases fear from men and disorder lessens ferocity."
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Quote collection
Niccolo Machiavelli quotes (page 19 of 20)
389 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"One should never risk one's whole fortune unless supported by one's entire forces."
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"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 snares, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves."
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"As all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to whoever arranges to found a Republic and establish laws in it, to presuppose that all men are bad and that they will use their malignity of mind every time they have the opportunity."
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"If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard."
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"Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her."
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"For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good manners that law may be maintained."
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"The wish to acquire is in truth very natural and common, and men always do so when they can.but when they cannot do so, yet wish to do so by any means, then there is folly and blame."
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"And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame."
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"The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers."
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"Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed."
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"He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows."
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"It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather."
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"For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying"
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"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."
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"He who would foresee what is to happen should look to what has happened: for all that is has its counterpart in time past."
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"The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity."
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"The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved."
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"I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness."
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"My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved."
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