"I am firmly convinced, therefore, that to set up a republic which is to last a long time, the way to set about it is to constitute it as Sparta and Venice were constituted; to place it in a strong position, and so to fortify it that no one will dream of taking it by a sudden assault; and, on the other hand, not to make it so large as to appear formidable to its neighbors. It should in this way be able to enjoy its form of government for a long time. For war is made on a commonwealth for two reasons: to subjugate it, and for fear of being subjugated by it."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Book 1, Ch. 6 (as translated by LJ Walker and B Crick)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Niccolò Machiavelli
114 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli →
Related Quotes
"I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misus…"
"How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and live with integrity, and not with astuteness, every one knows.…"
"Upon this, one has to remark that men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves …"
"It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more unc…"
"Politics have no relation to morals."
"...debbe un uomo prudente entrare sempre per vie battute da uomini grandi, e quelli che sono stati eccellentissimi, i…"
"In judging policies we should consider the results that have been achieved through them rather than the means by whic…"
"When evening comes, I return home and enter my study; on the threshold I take off my workday clothes, covered with mu…"
"Now, in order to execute a political commission well, it is necessary to know the character of the prince and those w…"
"The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or con…"