511 Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

... Men are either to be kindly treated, or utterly crushed, since they can revenge lighter injuries, but not graver. Wherefore the injury we to do a man should be of a sort to leave no fear of reprisals.

... Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to live in freedom and does no destroy it, may reckon on being destroyed by it. For if it should rebel, it can always screen itself under the name of liberty and its ancient laws, which no length of time, nor any benefit conferred will ever cause it to forget; and do what you will, and take what care you may, unless the inhabitants be scattered and dispersed, this name, and the old order of things, will never cease to be remembered...

Men can assist Fortune but not oppose her; they can weave her schemes but they cannot break them.

That defense alone is effectual, sure and durable which depends upon yourself and your own valour.

In general you must either pamper people or destroy them; harm them just a little and they’ll hit back; harm them seriously and they won’t be able to. So if you’re going to do people harm, make sure you needn’t worry about their reaction.

Nicia: God send him the plague!Timoteo: Why?Nicia: So he'll get it!

Puţini văd cum suntem într-adevăr, dar toţi văd ce ne prefacem că suntem.

But when you disarm them, you at once offend them by showing that you distrust them, either for cowardice or for want of loyalty, and either of these opinions breeds hatred against you.

Todos ven lo que pareces ser, mas pocos saben lo que eres.