Niccolo Machiavelli

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if read more

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if they are to be observed, have need of good morals.

each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this system was disastrous when the read more

each candidate behaved well in the hope of being judged worthy of election. However, this system was disastrous when the city had become corrupt. For then it was not the most virtuous but the most powerful who stood for election, and the weak, even if virtuous, were too frightened to run for office.

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have read more

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced read more

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are