Quote

It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Wise
Opinion
Power
Nothing
Founded
Always
Uncertain
Men
Fame
Judgment
Strength

More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

Image
No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
And above all you ought to guard against leading an army to fight which is afraid or which is not confident of victory. For the greatest sign of an impending loss is when one does not believe one can win.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
He who builds on the people, builds on the mud
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Gold will not always get you good soldiers, but good soldiers can get you gold.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
I hope and hoping feeds my pain I weep and weeping feeds my failing heart I laugh but the laughter does not pass within I burn but the burning makes no mark outside.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
One arises from a low to a high station more often by using fraud instead of force.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
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.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Impetuosity and audacity often achieve what ordinary means fail to achieve.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
If the present be compared with the remote past, it is easily seen that in all cities and in all peoples there are the same desires and the same passions as there always were.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
I'm not interested in preserving the status quo I want to overthrow it.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Image
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.
Niccolo Machiavelli