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The Prince  by Niccolò Machiavelli  Morality and Ethics Quotes
Page 1  How we cite our quotes:  Quote #1  [I]n this case let me
refer the reader to what I'll be saying later about when rulers
should, or then again shouldn't, keep their promises. (3.16)  In
case you didn't know, we'll tell you what he's going to say
later: Don't keep your promises, ever.  Quote #2  What's more,
you can't in good faith give the nobles what they want without
doing harm to others; but you can with the people. Because the
people's aspirations are more honourable than those of the
nobles: the nobles want to oppress the people, while the people
want to be free from oppression. (9.3)  This is a pretty
surprising statement from Machiavelli, considering that he
spends the rest of the book talking about how pathetic the
people are. Okay, but at least they're honorable?  Quote #3
Many writers have dreamed up republics and kingdoms that bear no
resemblance to experience and