Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes and its meanings

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.

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.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.

War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

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.

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

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.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

Politics have no relation to morals.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

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.

War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.