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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.

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
Consider
Excites
Men
Mark
Expressions
Neither
Threats
Expression
Cautious
Enemy
Prudence
Desire
Revenge
Abstain
Threat
Contemptuous
Great
Hatred
Weaken
Make

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You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his mediocrity prevents him from being a threat to others. And for this reason a democracy is never governed by the most competent, but rather by those whose insignificance will not jeopardize anyone else's self-esteem.
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The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.
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He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.
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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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How perilous it is to free a people who prefer slavery.
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And when he is obliged to take the life of any one, to do so when there is a proper justification and manifest reason for it but above all he must abstain from taking the property of others, for men forget more easily the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.
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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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Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.
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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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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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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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There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.
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Good order and discipline in any army are to be depended upon more than courage alone.
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It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.
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Men are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.
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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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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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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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Men are less hesitant about harming someone who makes himself loved than one who makes himself feared because love is held together by a chain of obligation which, since men are wretched creatures, is broken on every occasion in which their own interests are concerned but fear is sustained by dread of punishment which will never abandon you.
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The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed.
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