“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
“Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”
“There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.”
“Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.”
“Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see but few can test by feeling.”
“The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.”
“There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.”
“It is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.”
“Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.”
“Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.”
“I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.”
– Niccolo Machiavelli, born May 1469
