Niccolo Machiavelli

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...

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

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for read more

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself

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.