Men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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Never do any enemy a small injury for they are like a snake which is half beaten and it will strike back the first chance it gets.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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In all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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It ought to be remembered that 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.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don’t just go away, they are only postponed to someone else’s advantage.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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In judging policies we should consider the results that have been achieved through them rather than the means by which they have been executed.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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