Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

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

Florentine Histories, Book 3, ch. 2 (1521-5)

As commonly given, specific translation unknown. Alt. trans.:

• "It is in the power of any man to begin a war, but he cannot end it when he pleases." [tr. Lester (1843)]
• "People may go to war when they will, but cannot always withdraw when they like." [Bohn's Standard Library (1891)]
• "Wars begin at the will of anyone, but they do not end at anyone's will." [tr. Banield and Mansfield (1988), Book 3, ch. 7]