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

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.

Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

A wise ruler should rely on what is under his own control, not on what is under the control of others.

Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.

All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

How we live is so different from how we ought to live that he who studies what ought to be done rather than what is done will learn the way to his downfall rather than to his preservation.

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent.

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

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.

People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do.

It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.

War should be the only study of a prince; he should consider peace only as a breathing-time.

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.

Written in the 16th century, The Prince remains one of the most influential books on political theory. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and political theorist, and is considered the father of modern political thought.

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

Similar ideas

CHARLES DE GAULLE

Honesty

UNWAVERING COURAGE

Based upon knowledge of self, and of one’s occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.