Tag Archives: Niccolò Machiavelli

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt

Posted on 24 December 2011 by philosiblog

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? Without going deep into the history of the Italian Renaissance City State era, the quote … Continue reading →

Posted in cooperation, freedom, governance, leadership, setting an example, tolerance | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer

Posted on 17 December 2011 by philosiblog

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a twitter-friendly excerpt  from a larger quote: “All courses of action are risky, … Continue reading →

Posted in action, courage, doing, goals, procrastination, strength | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms

Posted on 10 December 2011 by philosiblog

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.– Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? I know this quote, and my explanation of it, will rub some the wrong way, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in caution, courage, fear, judgement, preparation, risk | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally

Posted on 3 December 2011 by philosiblog

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another bit of advice to the ‘Princes’ of Italy in the city-state era. Here he talks of decisiveness and wisdom. The … Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, delay, foolish, procrastination, time, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The wise man does at once what the fool does finally

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either

Posted on 26 November 2011 by philosiblog

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.– Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? The quote is saying that if you have had a stroke of luck, and ended up in an advantageous position, it’s fair … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, honest, personal growth, truth, virtue | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear

Posted on 19 November 2011 by philosiblog

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This quote describes a lot of human interactions. When bad news arrives, it is usually told first to someone who … Continue reading →

Posted in discipline, fear, leadership, love, worry | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Posted on 12 November 2011 by philosiblog

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? What this quote says to me is that things are always changing, that nothing stays the same. If you wish to enjoy continued success, … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, common sense, discovery, flexibility, growth, imagination | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Politics have no relation to morals

Posted on 5 November 2011 by philosiblog

Politics have no relation to morals. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? Having grown up in the greater Chicago-land area, this quote really makes sense to me. Morals are about doing what is right for the right reasons. The definition … Continue reading →

Posted in caring, character, conscience, integrity, leadership, motivation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Politics have no relation to morals

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others

Posted on 29 October 2011 by philosiblog

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? While this quote is almost certainly about political change, and how a ruler might use this to their advantage, I believe … Continue reading →

Posted in education, focus, growth, observation, personal growth, self improvement | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Posted on 22 October 2011 by philosiblog

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? What kind of people does a leader surround themselves with? Is it a bunch … Continue reading →

Posted in character, discovery, governance, intelligence, leadership, observation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Posted on 14 July 2011 by philosiblog

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? It means that no matter what you do, there are some people who are going hate you. If you do evil, the good … Continue reading →

Posted in courage | Tagged , , | 2 Comments