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About this quote

What does it mean?
War is justified only when necessary and weapons are allowed only when there is no other hope.
In plain terms
Use force only when you have no other choice.
What can you take from it?
Use force only as a last resort.

Where it applies

  • military ethics
  • self defense
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • exhaust other options first
  • evaluate necessity strictly

Questions to consider

  • What justifies force?
  • When is there no hope?

Another view

Necessity is often subjective and easily misused.

More from Niccolo Machiavelli

  1. It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

    Permalink to quote #43

  2. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

    Permalink to quote #45

  3. Men sooner forget being robbed of their fathers than of their patrimony.

    Permalink to quote #42

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