Quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

...it is a base thing to look to others for your defense instead of depending upon yourself. That defense alone is effectual, sure, and durable which depends upon yourself and your own valor. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study but war and it organization and discipline, for that is the only art that is necessary to one who commands. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach we are never satisfied. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

Before all else, be armed. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

Hence it comes about that all armed prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed prophets have been destroyed. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. (Niccolo Machiavelli)

Im not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it. (Niccolo Machiavelli)