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For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

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
Truth
Way
Destroying
Holding
Sure

More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

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...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.
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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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Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.
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For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.
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There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.
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...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.
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A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy that is, when he declares himself on the side of one prince against another without any reservation.
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Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies.
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There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.
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the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour.
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Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.
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A wise prince will seek means by which his subjects will always and in every possible condition of things have need of his government, and then they will always be faithful to him.
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We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean the rest have failed.
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It is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman.
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Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.
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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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For he who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those who might be better off under the new.
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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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I hope and hoping feeds my pain I weep and weeping feeds my failing heart I laugh but the laughter does not pass within I burn but the burning makes no mark outside.
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Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it.
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