511 Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.

Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.

When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere... the world will purge itself in one or another of these three ways (floods, plague and famine)

Half of these aren't even Machiavelli. Some are Plato, Thucydides etc....doesnt anyone check these?

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

One must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten wolves

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.

An armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome and Sparta were for many centuries well armed and free. The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom. Among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible. It is not reasonable to suppose that one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.

Therefore the best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses they will not save you if you are hated by the people.