Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes on Politics
Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance diplomat, historian, and political philosopher of the late 15th and early 16th centuries, often described as the founder of modern political science. This page collects quotes attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli on the topic of politics, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“He who builds on the people, builds on the mud.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“Princes who have done great deeds have held their good faith of little account.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, ought to prevail.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“A wise prince ought to observe some such rules, and never in peaceful times stand idle, but increase his resources with industry in such a way that they may be available to him in adversity.”
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Attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli:
“Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.”