Niccolo Machiavelli Quotations

A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity.

From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

To be feared is much safer then to be loved.

Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.

Half of these aren't even Machiavelli. Some are Plato, Thucydides etc....doesnt anyone check these?

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.

An armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome and Sparta were for many centuries well armed and free. The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom. Among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible. It is not reasonable to suppose that one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.

it is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.

Appear as you may wish to be

The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed.