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The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed.
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
War
Art
Flee
Diminished
Adversaries
Killed
Forces
Loss
Force
More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli
I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself.
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The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.
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Violence must be inflicted once for all people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually and in that way they will taste better.
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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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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
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For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good manners that law may be maintained.
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It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler. For men are so simple, and yield so much to immediate necessity, that the deceiver will never lack dupes.
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Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.
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Never do your enemy a minor injury.
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War brings out thieves and peace hangs them.
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Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.
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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.
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The world has always been the same and there is always as much good fortune as bad in it.
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There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.
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Men ought either to be well treated, or crushed.
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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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It is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved? It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.
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You have to be a prince to understand the people, and you have to belong to the people to understand the princes.
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There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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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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