Niccolo Machiavelli Philosophical Quotations

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

One can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and while you work for their good they are completely yours, offering you their blood, their property, their lives, and their sons when danger is far away; but when it comes nearer to you, they turn away.

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

Before all else, be armed.