July 20, 2017
Steven F. Hotze
Editor-in Chief, CRTX News
www.crtxnews.com
Niccolo Machiavelli writings have influenced politics in western civilization for over 500 years. He spent his life in Florence, Italy, 1469-1527. He was an Italian Renaissance historian. He was involved in politics and served as a diplomat for princes. Machiavelli was also a philosopher and author. Machiavelli has been called the father of modern political science. His most famous work is entitled, The Prince.
The term Machiavellian is used to describe politicians who are cunning, treacherous, unscrupulous, devious and two-faced in advancing their careers.
These are but a few of Machiavelli’s quotes. After you read these, certain Texas politicians will come to mind, with whom you are familiar, who craftily follow the counsel of Niccolo Machiavelli.
Quotes from Machiavelli
“It pains me much when I hear that out of conscience many of you repent the deeds that have been done and that you wish to abstain from new deeds… if this is true, you are not the men I believed you to be, for neither conscience nor infamy should dismay you, because those who win, in whatever mode they win, never receive shame from it… We have no business to think about conscience…”
“The vices of our age are the more odious in that they are practiced by those who sit on the judgment seat, govern the State, and demand public reverence.”
“It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
“If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.”
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
“And if your conduct were in every respect upright, your demeanor amiable, and your judgments equitable, all these would be insufficient to make you beloved. If you imagine otherwise, you deceive yourself; for, to one accustomed to the enjoyment of liberty, the slightest chains feel heavy, and every tie upon his free soul oppresses him.”
“Men commonly deceive themselves in respect of the love which they imagine others bear them, nor can ever be sure of it until they have put it to the proof.”
“While the laws of a city are altered to suit its circumstances, its institutions rarely or never change; whence it results that the introduction of new laws is of no avail, because the institutions, remaining unchanged, corrupt them.”
“When many suffer, few seek vengeance; for general evils are endured more patiently than private ones. To increase the number of misdeeds will, therefore, make forgiveness more easily attainable, and will open the way to secure what we require for our own liberty.”
“Occasionally words must serve to veil the facts. But let this happen in such a way that no one become aware of it; or, if it should be noticed, excuses must be at hand to be produced immediately.”
“It is better to act and repent, than not to act and regret.”
“…is an exceedingly dangerous path that leads to defeat… If a prince remains neutral when two others are fighting, he allows himself to be hated and despised: hated by the combatant who believes the prince is obliged to side with him (in the name of an old friendship or in return for favors granted or performed); and despised by the other combatant, who will consider him timid and indecisive, an enemy not to be feared.”
“The reason why Florence has always so often changed its government has been because it has never been a Republic or a Principality of the proper kind; for that Principate cannot be called stable where things are done according to the desires of an individual but are decided by the consent of the many; nor can it be believed that that Republic will endure where those moods of the people are not satisfied, and which, if they are not satisfied, cause the ruin of the Republic…”
“The reason why all these governments have been defective, is that their Reforms have not been made to satisfy the common good, but for the security and confirmation in power of one of the Parties; which security, however, has not been found, because one Party has always been discontent and it has been a powerful instrument to whoever has desired change.”
“I will be much content to tell you what I know of all that you ask me; whether it be true or not, I will leave to your judgement.”
“Whoever is more vigilant in observing the designs of the enemy in war, and endures much hardship in training his army, will incur fewer dangers, and can have greater hope for victory.”
“What benefits the enemy, harms you; and what benefits you, harms the enemy.”
“Never lead your soldiers into an engagement unless you are assured of their courage, know they are without fear, and are organized. Never make an attempt unless you see they hope for victory.”
“It is better to defeat the enemy by hunger than by steel; in such victory fortune counts more than prowess.”
“…love peace but know how to wage war…”
“Our princes…used to believe it was enough for them to know how to … write a beautiful letter, to show wit and promptness in sayings and in his words, know how to weave a deception, ornament himself with gems and gold, to sleep and eat with greater splendor than others, to keep many lascivious persons around, to conduct himself avariciously and haughtily toward his subjects, to become rotten with idleness, hand out appointments at his will, express contempt for anyone who may have demonstrated any praiseworthy manner…These little men were unaware that they were preparing themselves to be the prey of anyone who assaulted them”
“Let not princes complain of the faults committed by the people subjected to their authority, for they result entirely from their own negligence or bad example.”
“All who contribute to the overthrow of religion, or to the ruin of kingdoms and commonwealths, all who are foes to letters and to the arts which confer honor and benefit on the human race among whom I reckon the impious, the cruel, the ignorant, the indolent, the base and the worthless, are held in infamy and detestation.”
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