Machiavelli
Political Philosopher (1469 – 1527)
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli name is often considered synonymous with evil. His only publication and no doubt what he will be remembered for was a book written to guide a young novice prince from the first day of his kingship to his last. Subtly named “The Prince” it was a ruler’s handbook without sentiment, compassion or empathy and delved directly to what a young prince needed to know to stay in power and never lose it. Machiavelli book clearly reflected his life and philosophy and yet was written over a few months at the lowest point of his life. Left bereft, stripped of all possessions and in utter despair, Machiavelli reflected his ideas of the unsympathetic and malevolent political life he encountered and demonstrated a clear insight of central aspects a ruler needed to control his people.
Quotes:
It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.
When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred.
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.
He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.
A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.
There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.
A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive
him to despair.
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
Never was anything great achieved without danger.
One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
Politics have no relation to morals.
Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking.