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It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.

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
Men
Account
Weather
Fairs
Accounts
Fair
Failing
Common
Tempests
Take
Tempest

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There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
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One must consider the final result
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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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Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves
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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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Any harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.
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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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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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Anyone who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it may expect to be destroyed by it for such a city may always justify rebellion in the name of liberty and its ancient institutions.
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The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.
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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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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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Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
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Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.
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There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.
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I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking.
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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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Never lead your soldiers to battle if you have not first confirmed their spirit and known them to be without fear and ordered and never test them except when you see that they hope to win.
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Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding.
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