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There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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Niccolo Machiavelli
Age: 58 †
Born: 1469
Born: May 3
Died: 1527
Died: June 22
Diplomat
Historian
Military Theorist
Philosopher
Playwright
Poet
Political Theorist
Politician
Translator
Writer
Florence
Tuscany
Nicolo Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
Nicolò Machiavelli
N. Machiavelli
Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
Machiavelli
Contempt
Corruption
Philosophical
Sign
Surer
Held
Rites
Politics
Rite
Religion
Country
Decay
More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli
Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.
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There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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One arises from a low to a high station more often by using fraud instead of force.
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All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.
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To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.
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Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.
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For without invention, no one was ever a great man in his own trade.
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Appear as you may wish to be
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Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.
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I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking.
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It is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman.
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When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how to seize the opportunity she offers.
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For government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to do [it] harm.
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When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor.
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As all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to whoever arranges to found a Republic and establish laws in it, to presuppose that all men are bad and that they will use their malignity of mind every time they have the opportunity.
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Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.
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It is better to be bold than too circumspect, because fortune is of a sex which likes not a tardy wooer and repulses all who are not ardent.
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Thus it happens in matters of state for knowing afar off (which it is only given a prudent man to do) the evils that are brewing, they are easily cured. But when, for want of such knowledge, they are allowed to grow so that everyone can recognize them, there is no longer any remedy to be found.
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Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves
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A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.
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