Every one admits how praiseworthy it is in a prince to keep faith, and to live with integrity and not with craft. Nevertheless our experience has been that those princes who have done great things have held good faith of little account, and have known how to circumvent the intellect of men by craft, and in the end have overcome those who have relied on their word.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- While integrity is praised, successful leaders often use cunning to achieve their goals over keeping faith.
- In plain terms
- People say keeping faith is good, but cunning leaders win more.
- What can you take from it?
- Success often rewards cleverness over honesty.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people reward cunning?
- Can integrity lead to success?
Another view
This overstates the success of those who act without integrity.
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