Niccolò Machiavelli

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

Niccolò Machiavelli

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

Niccolo Machiavelli

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

Niccolo Machiavelli

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Niccolo Machiavelli

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

Niccolo Machiavelli

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

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

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

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Niccolo Machiavelli

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

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.

Niccolo Machiavelli

War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

Niccolo Machiavelli