For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.
Niccolo MachiavelliAlthough 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.
Niccolo MachiavelliSince 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.
Niccolo MachiavelliHe who is the cause of another's advancement is thereby the cause of his own ruin.
Niccolo MachiavelliIf you only notice human proceedings, you may observe that all who attain great power and riches, make use of either force or fraud; and what they have acquired either by deceit or violence, in order to conceal the disgraceful methods of attainment, they endeavor to sanctify with the false title of honest gains.
Niccolo Machiavelli