Niccolo Machiavelli

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it read more

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

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.

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

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

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

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.