Niccolo Machiavelli

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.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Since love and fear can hardly coexist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be read more

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

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there cannot be good laws where read more

The chief foundations of all states... are good laws and good arms. And as there cannot be good laws where there are not good arms... where there are good arms there must be good laws...