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Whoever takes it upon himself ...

Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

You must know, then, that ther...

You must know, then, that there are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts; but as the first method is often insufficient, one must have recourse to the second.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

A prince being thus obliged to...

A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from snares, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognise snares, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those that wish to be only lions do not understand this.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Therefore, a prudent ruler oug...

Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Every one sees what you appear...

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

The prince must consider, as h...

The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have succeeded he will have fulfilled his part, and he need not fear any danger in other reproaches.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

It makes him hated above all t...

It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

And when neither their propert...

And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

It makes him contemptible to b...

It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

That prince is highly esteemed...

That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent man and revered by his people, he can only be attacked with difficulty.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

A prince ought to have two fea...

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

From the latter he is defended...

From the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will have good friends, and affairs will always remain quiet within when they are quiet without, unless they should have been already disturbed by conspiracy; and even should affairs outside be disturbed, if he has carried out his preparations and has lived as I have said, as long as he does not despair, he will resist every attack.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Speaking generally, men are un...

Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Never do an enemy a small inju...

Never do an enemy a small injury.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Decide which is the line of co...

Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Results are often obtained by ...

Results are often obtained by impetuosity and daring which could never have been obtained by ordinary methods.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Only those means of security a...

Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

it is much safer to be feared ...

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

One should never allow chaos t...

One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

There is nothing that Nature s...

There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society.

Nikkolo Machiavelli 472 quotes

Добрые, щедрые, великодушные: 6 советских актеров, которые были всеобщими любимчиками

23

Советских актёров часто ставят в пример как образец духовной силы, национальной гордости и внутренней красоты. Они стали символами эпохи, носителями культуры и нравственности. Но, как известно, за кул...

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