511 Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying.

Appear as you may wish to be.

One must consider the final result.

One should never risk one’s whole fortune unless supported by one’s entire forces.

It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.

Without doubt, ferocious and disordered men are much weaker than timid and ordered ones. For order chases fear from men and disorder lessens ferocity

Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage.

To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.