Niccolò Machiavelli

“In judging policies we should consider the results that have been achieved through them rather than the means by which they have been executed.”

“Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.”

“So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.”

“It is enough to ask somebody for his weapons without saying 'I want to kill you with them', because when you have his weapons in hand, you can satisfy your desire.”

“When Scipio became consul and was keen on getting the province of Africa, promising that Carthage should be completely destroyed, and the senate would not agree to this because Fabius Maximus was against it, he threatened to appeal to the people, for he knew full well how pleasing such projects are to the populace.”

“The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.”

“Cunning and deceit will every time serve a man better than force to rise from a base condition to great fortune.”

“This return of Republics back to their principles also results from the simple virtue of one man, without depending on any law that excites him to any execution: none the less, they are of such influence and example that good men desire to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life contrary to those examples.”

“It is not titles that make men illustrious, but men who make titles illustrious.”

“I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking.”

“No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.”

“Quello che giova al nimico nuoce a te, e quel che giova a te nuoce al nimico.”

“Non è mai alcuna cosa sì disperata, che non vi sia qualche via da poterne sperare.”

“Le più caritative persone che sieno sono le donne, e le più fastidiose. Chi le scaccia, fugge e fastidii e l'utile; chi le intrattiene, ha l'utile ed e fastidii insieme. Ed è 'l vero che non è el mele sanza le mosche.”

“In terra di ciechi chi vi ha un occhio è signore.”

“El fine si ha a riguardare in tutte le cose.”

“Sono maggiori li spaventi ch'e mali.”

“Le cattive compagnie conducono gli uomini alle forche.”

“Comincionsi le guerre quando altri vuole, ma non quando altri vuole si finiscono.”