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 destroyfeargreatly share on social
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. Niccolo Machiavelli contemptcountrydecay Change image and share on social
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 conductdifficulthand Change image and share on social
Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain. Niccolo Machiavelli ficklegaingeneral Change image and share on social
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. Niccolo Machiavelli belongfreeglory Change image and share on social
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 desirefindman Change image and share on social
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. Niccolo Machiavelli aspirebreastdoth Change image and share on social
Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking. Niccolo Machiavelli difficultfearjoin Change image and share on social
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 abilitybreathecontrive Change image and share on social