Niccoló Machiavelli Quotes

God will not do everything, in order not to deprive us of freewill and the portion of the glory that falls to our lot.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against, as will be explained later.

Everybody sees what you appear to be, few feel what you are.

Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed.

All armed prophets have conquered and unarmed ones failed.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man, without depending upon any law that incites him to the infliction of extreme punishments; and yet his good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

A prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest.

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate he will get some tinge of it.

A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good.