Quotes from Nicoló Machiavelli

A little bit of agitation gives resources to souls and what makes the species prosper isn't peace, but freedom.

He who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against

There is no other way of guarding against adulation, than to make people understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth. On the other hand, when everyone feels at liberty to tell you the truth, they will be apt to be lacking in respect to you.

As a general thing anyone who is not your friend will advise neutrality while anyone who is your friend will ask you to join him, weapon in hand.

if you wish to please me, and to bring success and honour to yourself, do right and study, because others will help you if you help yourself.

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality, for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done will rather bring about his ruin than his preservation.

he who is the cause of another becoming powerful is ruined; because that predominancy has been brought about either by astuteness or else by force, and both are distrusted by him who has been raised to power.

against my will, my fate, A throne unsettled, and an infant state, Bid me defend my realms with all my pow'rs, And guard with these severities my shores.

Fear is as dangerous an enemy as resentment.

Thus it will always happen that he who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, whilst he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself with arms.

He who is the cause of another's greatness is himself undone, since he must work either by address or force, each of which excites distrust in the person raised to power.

Knowledge doth come of learning well retained, Unfruitful else

And 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, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

And it has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain or unstable as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

never in peaceful times stand idle..

it is necessary for you to study; since, then, you have no longer the excuse of illness, take pains to study letters and music, for you see what honour is done to me for the little skill I have. Therefore, my son, if you wish to please me, and to bring success and honour to yourself, do right and study, because others will help you if you help yourself.

men, walking almost always in paths beaten by others, and following by imitation their deeds, are yet unable to keep entirely to the ways of others or attain to the power of those they imitate.

I also believe that he who adapts his policies to suit the times will succeed, and he who does not, will fail.

If a prince holds on to his state by means of mercenary armies, he will never be stable or secure.

I have not found among my possessions anything which I've held more dear, nor valued so much, as the knowledge of the actions of great men, acquired by long experience in contemporary affairs, and a continual study of ancient history…

Everything has contributed to your greatness. You must do the rest.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.