Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelliwas an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer. He has often been called the founder of modern political science. He was for many years a senior official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry. His personal correspondence is renowned in the Italian language. He was secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when...
NationalityItalian
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth3 May 1469
CityFlorence, Italy
CountryItaly
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
Never was anything great achieved without danger.
One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.
A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.