Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes - Page 16

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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

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.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Art, War, Opportunity

"Discourses on Livy" by Niccolò Machiavelli, book 1, ch. 3, 1517.

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.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Art, War, Wish

"The Prince". Book by Niccolò Machiavelli, ch. 17, 1513.

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.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Mean, Men, Wish

...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Believe, Mankind, Incredulity

Niccolo Machiavelli (2017). “The Prince”, p.19, Knickerbocker Classics

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

Men, Law, Evil

Discourse upon the First Ten Books of Livy bk. 1, ch. 3 (written 1513 - 1517) (translation by Allan Gilbert)

Among other causes of misfortune which your not being armed brings upon you, it makes you despised.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Peace, War, Arms

Niccolo Machiavelli (2015). “The Prince”, p.55, Booklassic

A prince must be prudent enough to know how to escape the bad reputation of those vices that would lose the state for him, and must protect himself from those that will not lose it for him, if this is possible; but if he cannot, he need not concern himself unduly if he ignores these less serious vices.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Vices, Needs, Prudent

Niccolo Machiavelli (1979). “The Portable Machiavelli”, p.90, Penguin

No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Art, War, Opportunity

Sun Tzu, Niccolo Machiavelli (2013). “The Complete Art of War”, p.424, Simon and Schuster

Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be of such a kind that one does not stand in fear of revenge.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Revenge, Men, Doe

Niccolo Machiavelli (2015). “The Prince”, p.25, Xist Publishing

The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers.

Niccolo Machiavelli

War, Soldier, Gold

"Should We Spill Blood Over Oil?" by Laurence W. Beilenson, Kevin Lynch, reason.com. February 1982.

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Men, Design, Able

The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Art, War, Body

"Discourses on Livy" by Niccolò Machiavelli, book 2, ch. 3, translation by Mansfield and Tarcov, 1517.

For he who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those who might be better off under the new.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Order, Enemy, Might

Niccolo Machiavelli, Sir Thomas More, Sir (2010). “Machiavelli, More & Luther”, p.21, Cosimo, Inc.