Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Most people judge by appearances, not reality, and dare not oppose the majority view. Perception often overrides truth.
- In plain terms
- People judge what they see, not what is true, and won't challenge the crowd.
- What can you take from it?
- Manage your appearance to control how others perceive you.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does image matter more than substance?
- How do you control perception?
Another view
Truth often eventually overrides appearance.
More from Niccolo Machiavelli
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 tho…
Permalink to quote #14 You must know there are two ways of contesting, the one by the law, the other by force; the first method is proper to men, the second to beasts; but because th…
Permalink to quote #16 A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox c…
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
'Tis very strange Men should be so fond of being thought wickeder than they are.
Daniel DefoeDaniel Defoe quote #6 Charity may cover a multitude of sins, but success transmutes them into virtues.
Hugh KingsmillHugh Kingsmill quote #9 The prince must consider, as has been in part said before, how to avoid those things which will make him hated or contemptible; and as often as he shall have s…
Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli quote #18