The princes who have done great things are the ones who have taken little account of their promises.
Niccolo MachiavelliThe new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.
Niccolo MachiavelliWhoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.
Niccolo MachiavelliMany have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about his own ruin than his preservation.
Niccolo Machiavelli