...for monarchy easily becomes tyranny, aristocracy easily becomes oligarchy, and democracy easily converts to anarchy. Thus anyone organizing a government according to one of the good forms does so for but a short time, because no precaution will prevent it from slipping into its opposite, so closely are the virtues and vices of the two related.
-Niccolò Machiavelli
Select a background
More quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli
Popular Authors
A curated listing of popular authors.