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War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as abi...more

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

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Men in general are as much affected by what a thing appears to be as by what it is, indeed they are frequently influenced more by appearances than by ...more

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... War is the sole art looked for in one who rules...

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..it happens in all human affairs that we never seek to escape one mischief without falling into another. Prudence therefore consists in knowing how t...more

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A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting o...more

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In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

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... I believe that he will prosper most whose mode of acting best adapts itself to the character of the times; and conversely that he will be unprospe...more

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Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is need...more

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Injuries, therefore, should be inflicted all at once, that their ill savour being less lasting may the less offend; whereas, benefits should be confer...more

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It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.