Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

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• We must bear in mind, then, that there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful of success, than an attempt to introduce a new order of things in any state. For the innovator has for enemies all those who derived advantages from the old order of things, whilst those who expect to be benefited by the new institutions will be but lukewarm defenders.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Order, Mind, Enemy

  15 Copy quote

• 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.

  390 Copy quote

• Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Assuming, Conspiracy, Incompetence

  110 Copy quote

• it is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Regret, Repent

  214 Copy quote

• A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Government, Doe, Citizens

  323 Copy quote

• Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Inspirational, Relationship, Marketing

  360 Copy quote

• A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Ignorance, Intelligence, Awareness

  265 Copy quote

• 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

  383 Copy quote

• The unarmed man is not just defenseless - he is also contemptible.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Men, Second Amendment, Unarmed

  42 Copy quote

• Politics have no relation to morals.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Political, Nerd, Politics

  203 Copy quote

• 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

  243 Copy quote

• 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

  288 Copy quote

• All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Mistake, Ambition, Greatness

  "The Prince". Book by Niccolò Machiavelli, chapter III: Of Mixed Princedoms, 1513.

  44 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

  371 Copy quote

• The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Life, Positive, Birthday

  161 Copy quote

• Rome remained free for four hundred years and Sparta eight hundred, although their citizens were armed all that time; but many other states that have been disarmed have lost their liberties in less than forty years.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Gun, Eight, Rome

  25 Copy quote

• 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

  25 Copy quote

• 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

  232 Copy quote

• It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to enslave a people that wants to remain free.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  People, Political, Trying

  306 Copy quote

• Never was anything great achieved without danger.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Success, Philosophical, Danger

  73 Copy quote

• There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Believe

  86 Copy quote

• 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

  338 Copy quote

• Never do an enemy a small injury.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Military, Bad Ass, Enemy

  36 Copy quote

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

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Wise, Wisdom, Opportunity

  144 Copy quote

• If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Revenge, Men, Needs

  95 Copy quote

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