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(A ruler) cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interests or when the reason he pledged it no longer holds.
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
Keep
Pledged
Cannot
Ruler
Reason
Rulers
Would
Holds
Interests
Longer
Word
Interest
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To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.
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No one should therefore fear that he cannot accomplish what others have accomplished, for, men are born, live, and die in quite the same way they always have.
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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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Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.
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The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.
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It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.
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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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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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God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
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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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Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate avoids hatred for fear and the absence of hatred may well go together, and will be always attained by one who abstains from interfering with the property of his citizens and subjects or with their women.
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Men ought either to be well treated, or crushed.
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Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.
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In order not to annul our free will, I judge it true that Fortune may be mistress of one half our actions but then even she leaves the other half, or almost, under our control.
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Impetuosity and audacity often achieve what ordinary means fail to achieve.
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We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
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A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.
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If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.
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Good order and discipline in any army are to be depended upon more than courage alone.
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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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