Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope. Niccolo Machiavelli on men
To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people. Niccolo Machiavelli on nature
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. Niccolo Machiavelli on nature
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans. Niccolo Machiavelli on peace
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. Niccolo Machiavelli on religion
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society. Niccolo Machiavelli on society
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. Niccolo Machiavelli on success
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. Niccolo Machiavelli on success
There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. Niccolo Machiavelli on war