Hence it comes about that all armed prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed prophets have been destroyed. — Niccolo Machiavelli
If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. — Niccolo Machiavelli
It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose — Niccolo Machiavelli
The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones — Niccolo Machiavelli
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions. — Niccolo Machiavelli
A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. — Niccolo Machiavelli
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. — Niccolo Machiavelli
A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests. — Niccolo Machiavelli
When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness — Niccolo Machiavelli
As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics — Niccolo Machiavelli
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. — Niccolo Machiavelli
The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all. — Niccolo Machiavelli
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. — 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
In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine authority — Niccolo Machiavelli
For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good — Niccolo Machiavelli
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment — Niccolo Machiavelli
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present. — Niccolo Machiavelli