Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Explore a curated collection of 51 quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince. Discover timeless wisdom, insightful thoughts, and memorable words that have inspired readers around the world. Browse through the gallery below and click on any quote to read more.

And here comes in the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It migh — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Because there are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others co — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because th — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Is it better to be loved or feared? — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to a — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
But confining myself more to the particular, I say that a prince may be seen happy to-day and ruined to-morrow without h — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
For that reason, let a prince have the credit of conquering and holding his state, the means will always be considered h — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
I conclude therefore that, fortune being changeful and mankind steadfast in their ways, so long as the two are in agreem — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
Again, a Prince should show himself a patron of merit, and should honour those who excel in every art. He ought accordin — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present. — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast. — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
He who causes another to become powerful ruins himself, for he brings such a power into being either by design or by for — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince
It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to — Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince