War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
Niccolo MachiavelliThey have not any difficulties on the way up because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.
Niccolo MachiavelliThere are three kinds of brains: One understands of itself, another can be taught to understand, and the third can neither understand to itself or be taught to understand.
Niccolo MachiavelliWar is a profession by which a man cannot live honorably; an employment by which the soldier, if he would reap any profit, is obliged to be false, rapacious, and cruel.
Niccolo MachiavelliAs all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to whoever arranges to found a Republic and establish laws in it, to presuppose that all men are bad and that they will use their malignity of mind every time they have the opportunity.
Niccolo Machiavelli