UPSC Express

Machiavelli – Father of Realism Quotes

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

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

Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

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

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

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

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

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

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

Politics have no relation to morals.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

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

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

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

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

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

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