The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
—Niccolo Machiavelli
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
—Niccolo Machiavelli
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.
—Niccolo Machiavelli
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.
—Niccolo Machiavelli
Sono tanto semplici gli uomini, e tanto ubbidiscono alle necessità presenti, che colui che inganna, troverà sempre chi si lascerà ingannare. Men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
El fine si ha a riguardare in tutte le cose. One must never forget to look at the aim of a matter.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
La migliore fortezza che sia, è non essere odiato da’ popoli. The best possible fortress is—not to be hated by the people.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
—Niccoloò Machiavelli
Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
Di qui nacque che tutti li profeti armati vinsero, e li disarmati rovinarono. Hence it happened that all the armed prophets conquered, all the unarmed perished.
—Niccolò Machiavelli
No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
—Niccolo Machiavelli
The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms; and as there cannot be good laws where the state is not well armed, it follows that where they are well armed they have good laws.
—Niccolò Machiavelli