Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes – Unveiling the Bold Insights of a Renaissance Political Philosopher

It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both.

The ends justify the means.

Politics have no relation to morals.

Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.

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.

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.

Men in general judge more by their eyes than by their hands.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

War should be the only study of a prince.

I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.

When you disarm your subjects, you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and when you provoke their weapons, you provoke them to hate you, because either you suspect their courage or they suspect yours.

Hence it is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.

Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes – Unveiling the Bold Insights of a Renaissance Political Philosopher part 2

War is just when it is necessary; otherwise, it is a madness.

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

God creates men, but they choose each other.

Before all else, be armed.

Men are so simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Fear is an emotion indispensable for survival.

Princes should delegate violence to others but keep the benefits for themselves.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

The promise is bread for a fool.

Men change their rulers willingly, hoping to fare better.

The more an individual is threatened, the more his motivations become focused on self-interest.

The desire to acquire more is a constant human trait.

It is necessary for a prince to know well how to use both the beast and the man.

Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past.

He who seizes the moment captures the world.

There is no sin in being self-interested; the sin lies in not being discreet about it.

Fortune is a woman; and if you want to keep her under, you must beat and ill-use her.

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

The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is ignorance in action.

A prince should have no other aim or thought but war and its organization and discipline, for that is the only art necessary to one who commands.

The distinction between the past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.

Change won’t happen unless you make it happen.

A prince never lacks good excuses to cover his evil deeds.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Men always hate those they have wronged.

The wise man knows that he knows nothing.