Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes

To rule is an art, not a science.

If you want me to be a cry baby, I cannot: I am the leader of a country. If you want to give me something and then withdraw it, fine; I must respect your decision.

At Athens, wise men propose, and fools dispose.

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

Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable, the art of the next best.

A statesman gains little by the arbitrary exercise of ironclad authority upon all occasions that offer, for this wounds the just pride of his subordinates, and thus tends to undermine his strength. A little concession, now and then, where it can do no harm is the wiser policy

A ruler must learn to persuade and not to compel.

Politics and war are remarkably similar situations.

It's so much easier to throw rocks than it is to govern.

If thou art a master, be sometimes blind; if a servant, sometimes deaf.

I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.

I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other.

The art of politics is knowing what to do next.

They that govern the most make the least noise.

I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - professors, officials, the Minister of Finance - but there were decisions that I had to make.

There is often, in the affairs of government, more efficiency and wisdom in non-action than in action.

I've been dealing with politicians all my life. All my life. And I've always gotten them to do what I need them to do.

Where might is mixed with wit, there is too good an accord in a government.

If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.

Kings may be judges of the earth, but wise men are the judges of kings.

In Greece wise men speak and fools decide.

When you are President you have to get something done, and that often means compromise.

If a President doesn't make enemies, he just won't be a very good President, that's all.

Sensible men of substantial means are what we wish to be ruled by.

The art of government is the art of negotiating and compromise.