WIST

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

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
(Attributed)

People are fickle by nature; and it is simple to convince them of something, but difficult to hold them in that conviction.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
(Attributed)

Men are very apt to deceive themselves in generals, less so than in particulars.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
(Attributed)

When the act accuses him, the result should excuse him.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, 1.19 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1940)]

There is no better indication of a man’s character than the company he keeps.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, 3.34 (1517) [tr. C. Detmold (1940)]

Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no considerations of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be, “What course will save the life and liberty of the country?”

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, 3.41 (1517) [tr. C. Detmold (1940)]

Any manifest error on the part of an enemy should make us suspect some stratagem.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, 3.48 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1940)]

Necessity may force you to do unto the prince that which you see the prince about to do to you.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, 3.6 (1517) [tr. Detmold (1950)]

See the Bible, Matthew 7:12.

Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Discourses, Introduction to First Book (1517) [tr. Detmold (1940)]

Men are so simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Prince, “In What Way Princes Must Keep Faith”

One ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go togeher it is much safer to be feared than loved, if one of the two has to be wanting. … Love is held by a chain of obligation, which men being selfish, is broken whenever it serves their purpose, but fear is maintained by a dread of punishment which never fails.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Prince, ch. 17 (1513) [tr. Ricci (1903)]

Men are so simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Prince, ch. 18 (1513) [tr. L. Ricci (1903)]

It is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed so that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Prince, ch. 18 (1513) [tr. Ricci (1903)]

Men must be either caressed or annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but cannot do so for great ones; the injury therefore that we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) Italian politician, philosopher, political scientist
The Prince, ch. 3 (1513) [tr. Ricci (1903)]