Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.
20+ Best Niccolò Machiavelli Quotes & Wishes
Quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli - memorable lines to copy, reflect on, or share with someone who will appreciate them. Save a favourite or download it as a free image card.
Updated: October 2026
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A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men, and imitate those who are most excellent.
The promise given was a necessity of the past; the word broken is a necessity of the present.
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
All armed prophets have conquered, and unarmed prophets have come to ruin.
There cannot be good laws where there are not good arms.
There are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others.
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
Men ought either to be well treated or crushed.
A prince should imitate the fox and the lion.
Politics have no relation to morals.
Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.