Niccolo Machiavelli ( 10 of 21 )
When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.
When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.
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.
A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If read more
A prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it.
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
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him read more
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.
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.
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn read more
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.
Your son at five is your master, at ten your slave, at fifteen your double, and after that, your friend read more
Your son at five is your master, at ten your slave, at fifteen your double, and after that, your friend or your foe, depending on his bringing up
The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws and good read more
The main foundations of every state, new states as well as ancient or composite ones, are good laws and good arms - you cannot have good laws without good arms, and where there are good arms, good laws inevitably follow
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
