Do you know of any Machiavelli quotes that speak to you directly? Well, the Italian philosopher and writer has influenced a lot of school of thoughts over the years. Best known as Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher, and writer, was also revered for his book, The Prince, written in 1513. Many refer to him as the father of modern political philosophy and political science.
There are several diverse ideas and views the philosopher stood for. Most of his thoughts and ideas have been captured in popular Niccolo Machiavelli quotes. What are these Niccolò Machiavelli quotes, and are there some that you love most? Well, having been a philosopher of his time, he had a lot to say about different subjects. This explains the numerous cool Machiavelli quotes available today. But before we get to understand the different quotes, it would be interesting to know what the father of modern philosophy thought on different subjects.
| Biography | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Niccolò Machiavelli |
| Born | May 3, 1469 |
| Died | June 22, 1527 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Famous Works | The Prince, Discourses on Livy |
| Influence | Political Philosophy, Renaissance |
Machiavelli Quotes on Human Nature
Machiavelli believes that human nature dictated how people should be led. This explains the link between people's nature as captured by Machiavelli and the leadership style suggested by him. It is from his belief and school of thought that some of the most popular Machiavelli quotes on change come from.
What Does Machiavelli Say About Human Nature?
Machiavelli's views on humanity and human nature are crucial as they determine his perspective on leadership and its best approach. The recorded views on Machiavelli's thoughts regarding politics, religion, and morality are essentially grounded in his view of human nature. He believed that “Men are ungrateful, fickle, deceitful, cowardly, and avaricious.” This leads him to conclude that a ruler should aim to be feared rather than loved to ensure survival.
Does Machiavelli Believe in Free Will?
Free will is one of the themes Machiavelli explores in his writings. He often uses the terms “prowess” and “fortune” to illustrate the two distinct avenues through which a prince can ascend to power. He tries to reconcile free will and determinism by arguing that fortune controls half of human actions, leaving the other half to free will.
Having understood a few components of the philosopher's perspective on human nature and leadership, the following are some of Machiavelli's famous quotes about life and human nature that you could learn from:
- Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.
- The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must, therefore, be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. This means that one has to adopt different natures to survive.
That which you cannot do naturally, find ways of compensating through other means. There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you. Everyone should know that you prefer the truth to sugar-coated flattery.
Inspiring Machiavelli Quotes
If you know of any quotes by Machiavelli, then you recognize that they are strongly based on his beliefs about human nature. Many of these sayings can inspire you to be your best by playing your cards right.
- Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
- Never was anything great achieved without danger.
- The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.
- It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that want to remain servile as it is to enslave a people that want to remain free.
The Prince Quotes
The quotes from Machiavelli's The Prince are probably the most famous and common sayings associated with this ancient philosopher. These quotes encapsulate his ideas about leadership and the approach that guarantees ultimate power for a ruler.
For example, a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise. This means that when the need arises, a good leader will always find a way to compromise, no matter what promise he made earlier. Similarly, he who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
Princes and governments are often more dangerous than other elements within society. The leadership of any society can either build or be detrimental to the well-being of the people. This lesson is crucial for both leaders and their subjects.
In summary, the above Machiavelli quotes will leave you inspired, challenged, and thinking differently about leadership and politics. While his thoughts may seem unconventional, they have significantly influenced the modern political scene.
