One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, — Niccolo Machiavelli
He who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his. — Niccolo Machiavelli
Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men. — Niccolo Machiavelli
Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain. — Niccolo Machiavelli
A son could bear complacently the death of his father while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair. — Niccolo Machiavelli
States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly — Niccolo Machiavelli
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. — Niccolo Machiavelli
War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms. — Niccolo Machiavelli
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time — 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
Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance — Niccolo Machiavelli
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. — Niccolo 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
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society. — Niccolo Machiavelli
Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; — Niccolo Machiavelli
Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking. — Niccolo Machiavelli
The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous. — Niccolo Machiavelli
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better. — Niccolo Machiavelli