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Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Hence a prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires.

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
Come
Number
Tries
Must
Among
Necessity
Great
Numbers
Ruins
Trying
Wants
Bound
Good
Knowledge
Bounds
Refrain
Men
Learn
Requires
Prince
Time
Use
Using
Hence
Keep
Authority
Ruin

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So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.
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People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.
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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
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Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
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The ends justifies the means.
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I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.
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There are three kinds of brains. The one understands things unassisted, the other understands things when shown by others, the third understands neither alone nor with the explanations of others.
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There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.
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A multitude is strong while it holds together, but so soon as each of those who compose it begins ro think of his own private danger, it becomes weak and contemptible.
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When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment when they are then led to war, with hope and reward.
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Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.
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Men are more ready to offend one who desires to be beloved than one who wishes to be feared.
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Appear as you may wish to be
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Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.
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For whoever conquers a free Town, and does not demolish it, commits a great Error, and may expect to be ruin 'd himself.
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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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How perilous it is to free a people who prefer slavery.
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So far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should know how to follow evil.
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A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity.
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A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.
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