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161 " But in Republics there is a stronger vitality, a fiercer hatred, a keener thirst for revenge. The memory of their former freedom will not let them rest; so that the safest course is either to destroy them, or to go and live in them. "
― Niccolò Machiavelli , The Prince
162 " In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one's enemies. "
163 " A prince is also esteemed when he shows himself a true friend or a true enemy, that is, when, without reservation, he takes his stand with one side or the other. This is always wiser than trying to be neutral, for if two powerful neighbors of yours fall out they are either of such sort that the victor may give you reason to fear him or they are not. In either case it will be better for you to take sides and wage an honest war. "
164 " Men must either be caressed or else destroyed. "
165 " A man who wishes to profess at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good. "
166 " Returning to the question of being feared or loved, I conclude that since men love at their own will and fear at the will of the prince, a wise prince must build a foundation on what is his own, and not on what belongs to others. "
167 " En general, los hombres juzgan más por los ojos que por la inteligencia, pues todos pueden ver, pero pocos comprenden lo que ven. "
168 " For however strong you may be in respect of your army, it is essential that in entering a new Province you should have the good will of its inhabitants. "
169 " And let it here be noted that men are either to be kindly treated, or utterly crushed, since they can revenge lighter injuries, but not graver. Wherefore the injury we do to a man should be of a sort to leave no fear of reprisals. "
170 " As a general thing anyone who is not your friend will advise neutrality while anyone who is your friend will ask you to join him, weapon in hand. "
171 " All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms. "
172 " It is safer to be feared than loved "
173 " يمحو النصر آثار أكثر الأعمال فشلا، فيما تجهض الهزيمة أكثر الخطط تنظيما "
174 " ...the manner in which we live, and that in which we ought to live, are things so wide asunder, that he who quits the one to betake himself to the other is more likely to destroy than to save himself; since any one who would act up to a perfect standard of goodness in everything, must be ruined among so many who are not good. "
175 " To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate such evils before they arise, and take prudent steps to avoid them. When the waters have already risen, it is too late to build dikes and embankments. "
176 " Vale más hacer y arrepentirse, que no hacer y arrepentirse. "
177 " For when you are on the spot, disorders are detected in their beginnings and remedies can be readily applied; but when you are at a distance, they are not heard of until they have gathered strength and the case is past cure. "
178 " Any injury we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance. "
179 " if you wish to please me, and to bring success and honour to yourself, do right and study, because others will help you if you help yourself. "
180 " when they depend upon their own resources and can employ force, they seldom fail. Hence it comes that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed. "