Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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Power is the pivot on which everything hinges. He who has the power is always right; the weaker is always wrong.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Always Wrong, Hinges

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To be feared is much safer then to be loved.

Niccolo Machiavelli

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

Niccolo Machiavelli

Work, Philosophical, Men

"The Prince". Book by Niccolo Machiavelli, Ch. 22, 1513.

360 Copy quote
Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Inspirational, Relationship, Marketing

335 Copy quote
A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Government, Doe, Citizens

295 Copy quote
A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Ignorance, Intelligence, Awareness

223 Copy quote
Women are the most charitable creatures, and the most troublesome. He who shuns women passes up the trouble, but also the benefits. He who puts up with them gains the benefits, but also the trouble. As the saying goes, there's no honey without bees.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Benefits, Honey, Gains

Niccolo Machiavelli (2009). “The Essential Writings of Machiavelli”, p.456, Modern Library

350 Copy quote
The leader should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Evil, Leader, Should

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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.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Lions, Foxes, Traps

Niccolo Machiavelli (2017). “The Prince”, p.55, Knickerbocker Classics

354 Copy quote
For this is the tragedy of man circumstances change, but he does not.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Men, Tragedy, Doe

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Politics have no relation to morals.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Political, Nerd, Politics

178 Copy quote
I desire to go to Hell and not to Heaven. In the former I shall enjoy the company of popes, kings and princes, while in the latter are only beggars, monks and apostles

Niccolo Machiavelli

Death, Kings, Heaven

317 Copy quote
Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Men, Numbers, Trying

265 Copy quote
Never do an enemy a small injury.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Military, Bad Ass, Enemy

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Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Wisdom, Eye, Reality

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One of the great secrets of the day is to know how to take possession of popular prejudices and passions, in such a way as to introduce a confusion of principles which makes impossible all understanding between those who speak the same language and have the same interests.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Passion, Confusion, Understanding

274 Copy quote
it is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Regret, Repent

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

Niccolo Machiavelli

Humorous, Opportunity, Differences

309 Copy quote
He who builds on the people, builds on the mud

Niccolo Machiavelli

People, Mud

Niccolo Machiavelli (2010). “The Prince”, p.37, FastPencil Inc

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One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Liars, Lying, Philosophical

"The Prince".

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You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his mediocrity prevents him from being a threat to others. And for this reason a democracy is never governed by the most competent, but rather by those whose insignificance will not jeopardize anyone else's self-esteem.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Self Esteem, Men, Democracy

214 Copy quote
Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Assuming, Conspiracy, Incompetence

89 Copy quote
It is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved? It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Love, Witty, Powerful

Niccolo Machiavelli (2015). “The Prince”, p.64, Booklassic

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It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to carry through than initiating changes. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new. Their support is lukewarm ... partly because men are generally incredulous, never really trusting new things unless they have tested them by experience.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Change, Men, Order

"The Prince". Book by Niccolo Machiavelli, www.theguardian.com. 1532.

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There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Country, Philosophical, Religion

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Born: May 3, 1469
Died: June 21, 1527
Occupation: Historian
Cite this Page: Citation

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