War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.
From Niccolo Machiavelli
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
Before all else, be armed.
The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.
The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.
Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.
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