green numbers give full details.     |    back to list of philosophers     |     expand these ideas

Ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, by Text

[Italian, 1469 - 1527, Born and died in Florence. Worked for the Medici family in Florence. Driven into exile.]

1513 The Prince
p.674 Machiavelli emancipated politics from religion [Watson]
Ch.11 p.90 The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies
Ch.18 p.107 If men are good you should keep promises, but they aren't, so you needn't
Ch.3 p.61 To retain a conquered state, wipe out the ruling family, and preserve everything else
Ch.3 p.62 People are vengeful, so be generous to them, or destroy them
Ch.3 p.65 A desire to conquer, and men who do it, are always praised, or not blamed
Ch.8 p.83 A sensible conqueror does all his harmful deeds immediately, because people soon forget
1520 The Discourses
1.11 p.165 All legislators invoke God in support of extraordinary laws, because their justification is not obvious
I.12 p.169 Rulers should preserve the foundations of religion, to ensure good behaviour and unity