Niccolo Machiavelli Philosopher

Gender: Male
Citizenship: Italy
Born: May 3, 1469
Died: Jun 21, 1527

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He was for many years an official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He was a founder of modern political science, and more specifically political ethics. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry. His personal correspondence is renowned in the Italian language. He was Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of power. He wrote his masterpiece, The Prince, after the Medici had recovered power and he no longer held a position of responsibility in Florence. His views on the importance of a strong ruler who was not afraid to be harsh with his subjects and enemies were most likely influenced by the Italian city-states, which due to a lack of unification were very vulnerable to other unified nation-states, such as France.

"Machiavellianism" is a widely used negative term to characterize unscrupulous politicians of the sort Machiavelli described in The Prince.

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. nature

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

Politics have no relation to morals. politics

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. religion

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. nature

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. men

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. change & success

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. intelligence & men

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. God

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society. society

Never was anything great achieved without danger. greatness

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. business

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. men

War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms. hope & war

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear. fear, love & men

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great. greatness

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself. greatness

There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. war

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. life

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests. faith

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. change

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot. men

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions. men

Niccolo Machiavelli Philosopher

St. Patrick's Day March 17, 2025