“It is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with.”Niccolò Machiavelli
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Niccolò Machiavelli Quotes
Italian - Political Philosopher & Diplomat|May 3, 1469 - June 21, 1527
50 FAMOUS QUOTES · POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER & DIPLOMAT
Niccolò Machiavelli Quotes
Read 50 genuine Niccolò Machiavelli quotes from The Prince and the Discourses on power, leadership, fortune, fear and human nature from the Renaissance political thinker.
“Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.”Niccolò Machiavelli
FearHuman Nature
“Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.”Niccolò Machiavelli
Human NatureMotivation
“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.”Niccolò Machiavelli
AppearanceReputation
“Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, because it belongs to everybody to see you, to few to come in touch with you.”Niccolò Machiavelli
PerceptionHuman Nature
“A prince must be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves.”Niccolò Machiavelli
LeadershipStrategy
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”Niccolò Machiavelli
LeadershipJudgement
“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. The first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.”Niccolò Machiavelli
IntelligenceWisdom
“He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.”Niccolò Machiavelli
LeadershipCommand
“To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.”Niccolò Machiavelli
UnderstandingLeadership
“The best possible fortress is not to be hated by the people.”Niccolò Machiavelli
LeadershipTrust
“A people is more prudent, more stable, and of better judgement than a prince.”Niccolò Machiavelli
DemocracyWisdom
“There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”Niccolò Machiavelli
“One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.”Niccolò Machiavelli
ChangeProgress
“Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.”Niccolò Machiavelli
AdaptabilitySuccess
“The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.”Niccolò Machiavelli
AdaptabilityStrategy
“Fortune is the arbiter of one-half of our actions, but she still leaves us to direct the other half.”Niccolò Machiavelli
FortuneFree Will
“God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.”Niccolò Machiavelli
Free WillResponsibility
“We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.”Niccolò Machiavelli
FortuneVirtue
“Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.”Niccolò Machiavelli
DeterminationWillpower
“Never was anything great achieved without danger.”Niccolò Machiavelli
CourageRisk
“Doubtless princes become great when they overcome the difficulties and obstacles by which they are confronted.”Niccolò Machiavelli
GreatnessAdversity
“It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles.”Niccolò Machiavelli
HonourCharacter
“Men always commit the error of not knowing where to limit their hopes.”Niccolò Machiavelli
AmbitionWisdom
“Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.”Niccolò Machiavelli
AmbitionPower
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About Niccolò Machiavelli
Italian - Political Philosopher & Diplomat | May 3, 1469 - June 21, 1527
Niccolò Machiavelli (May 3, 1469 – June 21, 1527) was an Italian diplomat, political philosopher and writer, born in Florence. For 14 years he served the Florentine Republic as a senior official and diplomat, meeting kings, popes and military leaders such as Cesare Borgia, whose methods fascinated him.
When the powerful Medici family returned to power in 1512, Machiavelli lost his post and was imprisoned and tortured before retiring to a farm outside Florence. There he wrote *The Prince*, a blunt guide to gaining and keeping power, as well as the *Discourses on Livy*, *The Art of War* and the comedy *The Mandrake*. His name became a byword for cunning politics ("Machiavellian"), but many scholars see him as a realist who also championed republics. Here are 50 Niccolò Machiavelli quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Niccolò Machiavelli and these famous quotes.
Who was Niccolò Machiavelli?
Niccolò Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat and political thinker of the Italian Renaissance. He is best known for *The Prince*, one of the most famous and controversial books on politics ever written.
What is The Prince about?
*The Prince*, written in 1513 and published in 1532, is a short guide for rulers on how to gain, keep and use power. It argues that leaders must sometimes act ruthlessly and deceptively to protect the state.
What does "Machiavellian" mean?
"Machiavellian" describes someone who is cunning, scheming and willing to use deception or manipulation to achieve their goals. The word comes from the reputation of *The Prince*.
Did Machiavelli say "The ends justify the means"?
Not in those words. The phrase is a later summary of ideas in *The Prince*. Machiavelli wrote that people judge actions by their results, but the exact phrase "the ends justify the means" does not appear in his works.
Did Machiavelli really say it is better to be feared than loved?
Yes, in chapter 17 of *The Prince*. He wrote that it is best to be both feared and loved, but if a ruler must choose, it is safer to be feared, though he also warned rulers never to make themselves hated.
Was Machiavelli against democracy?
Not necessarily. In his *Discourses on Livy*, Machiavelli praised republics and argued that the people are often wiser and more stable than princes, which is why many scholars see him as a supporter of republican government.