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You do not know the unfathomable cowardice of humanity...servile in the face of force, pitiless in the face of weakness, implacable before blunders, indulgent before crimes...and patient to the point of martyrdom before all the violences of bold despotism.

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
Liberty
Despotism
Humanity
Cowardice
Pitiless
Face
Bold
Implacable
Point
Crimes
Servile
Faces
Patient
Indulgent
Force
Weakness
Martyrdom
Crime
Unfathomable
Violence
Blunders

More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

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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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The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.
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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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There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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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 one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.
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States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications the first bad weather kills them
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There should be many judges, for few will always do the will of few.
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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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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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Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves
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For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying
Niccolo Machiavelli
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One man should not be afraid of improving his posessions, lest they be taken away from him, or another deterred by high taxes from starting a new business. Rather, the Prince should be ready to reward men who want to do these things and those who endeavour in any way to increase the prosperity of their city or their state.
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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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The reformer has enemies in all who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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Everyone who wants to know what will happen ought to examine what has happened: everything in this world in any epoch has their replicas in antiquity.
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Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.
Niccolo Machiavelli
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In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.
Niccolo Machiavelli