Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed, the same desires and passions.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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There are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, and the third is useless.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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He who believes that new benefits will cause great personages to forget old injuries is deceived.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when everyone can tell you the truth, you lose their respect.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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A man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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Well-ordered states and wise princes have taken every care not to drive the nobles to desperation, and to keep the people satisfied and contented, for this is one of the most important objects a prince can have.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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It is not titles that make men illustrious, but men who make titles illustrious.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers. From the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will have good friends, and affairs will always remain quiet within when they are quiet without, unless they should have been already disturbed by conspiracy; and even should affairs outside be disturbed, if he has carried out his preparations and has lived as I have said, as long as he does not despair, he will resist every attack.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms; and as there cannot be good laws where the state is not well armed, it follows that where they are well armed they have good laws.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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No circumstance is ever so desperate that one cannot nurture some spark of hope.
~ Niccolò Machiavelli

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