511 Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

... By disarming, you at once give offense, since you show your subjects that you distrust them, either as doubting their courage, or as doubting their fidelity, each of which imputations begets hatred against you.

... On the whole, the best fortress you can have, is in not being hated by your subjects. If they hate you no fortress will save you...

... War is the sole art looked for in one who rules...

... When Princes devote themselves rather to pleasure than to arms, they lose their dominions.

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather.

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

... The armour of others is too wide, or too strait for us; it falls off us, or it weighs us down.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.