196 quotes found
“... War is the sole art looked for in one who rules...”
“And what physicians say about consumptive illnesses is applicable here: that at the beginning, such an illness is easy to cure but difficult to diagnose; but as time passes, not having been recogni...”
“For this can be said of men in general: that they are ungrateful, fickle, hypocrites and dissemblers, avoiders of dangers, greedy for gain; and while you benefit them, they are entirely yours, offe...”
“People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in s...”
“Never do an enemy a small injury.”
“Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts.”
“at Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts. Imprisoned”
“It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.”
“When evening comes, I go back home, and go to my study. On the threshold I take off my work clothes, covered in mud and filth, and put on the clothes an ambassador would wear. Decently dressed, I e...”
“Injuries, therefore, should be inflicted all at once, that their ill savour being less lasting may the less offend; whereas, benefits should be conferred little by little, that so they may be more ...”
“Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change t...”
“To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.”
“Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.”
“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 fi...”
“There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.”
“Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.”
“He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.”
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
“Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.”
“Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.”
