The Prince Author:Niccolo Machiavelli intro by Christian Gauss AS MACHIAVELLI SAW IT — Conspiracy — A prince need trouble little about conspiracies when the people are well disposed, but when they are hostile and hold him in hatred, then he must fear everything and everybody. — Merit — A prince must show himself a lover of merit, give preferment to the able and honor those who excel in every art. — Goodness — A m... more »an who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary...to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it, according to the necessity of the case.
First Impressions
The first impression that one gets of a ruler and of his brains is from seeing the men he has about him.
Flattery
There is no other way of guarding one's self against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when every one can tell you the truth, you lose their respect.
Fortune
I certainly think that it is better to be impetuous than cautious, for fortune is a woman, and it is necessary...to conquer her by force.« less