Niccolo Machiavelli Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Niccolo Machiavelli quotes, Niccolo Machiavelli sayings, and Niccolo Machiavelli proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself. Niccolo Machiavelli
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. Niccolo Machiavelli
Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear. Niccolo Machiavelli
A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance. Niccolo Machiavelli
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. Niccolo Machiavelli
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. Niccolo Machiavelli
There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. Niccolo Machiavelli
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present. Niccolo Machiavelli
Politics have no relation to morals. Niccolo Machiavelli
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present. Niccolo Machiavelli
Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony. Niccolo Machiavelli
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. Niccolo Machiavelli
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. 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
Never do an enemy a small injury. Niccolo Machiavelli
Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces. Niccolo Machiavelli
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. Niccolo Machiavelli
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. Niccolo Machiavelli
There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things. Niccolo Machiavelli
The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. Niccolo Machiavelli
Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear. Niccolo Machiavelli
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. Niccolo Machiavelli
It is better to act and repent, than not to act and regret. Niccolo Machiavelli
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. Niccolo Machiavelli
The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar. Niccolo Machiavelli
No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. Niccolo Machiavelli
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself. Niccolo Machiavelli
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. Niccolo Machiavelli
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great. Niccolo Machiavelli
He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows. Niccolo Machiavelli