3 Niccolo Machiavelli Quotes on Ethics

Niccolo Machiavelli quotes on ethics

17. A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

44. War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

46. We are much beholden to Machiavelli and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do . For it is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with the columbine innocency, except men know exactly all the conditions of the serpent; his baseness and going upon his belly, his volubility and lubricity, his envy and sting, and the rest; that is, all forms and natures of evil. For without this, virtue lieth open and unfenced. Nay, an honest man can do no good upon those that are wicked, to reclaim them, without the help of the knowledge of evil.