Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become … - Niccolò Machiavelli

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Engraved portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli, facing left

Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.

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About Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527) was an Italian political philosopher, historian, musician, poet, and romantic comedic playwright. Machiavelli was also a key figure in realist political theory, crucial to European statecraft during the Renaissance.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Santi di Tito (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Native Name: Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
Alternative Names: Nicolas Machiavel Machiavel Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli Nicolò Machiavelli Nicolo Machiavelli Machiavelli N. Machiavelli

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Additional quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

... Physicians tell us of hectic fever, that in its beginning it is easy to cure, but hard to recognize; whereas, after a time, not having been detected and treated at the first, it becomes easy to recognize but impossible to cure. And so it is with State affairs.

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he who is the cause of another becoming powerful is ruined; because that predominancy has been brought about either by astuteness or else by force, and both are distrusted by him who has been raised to power.

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