“For this reason a prince ought to take care that he never lets anything slip from his lips that is not replete with the above-named five qualities, that he may appear to him who sees and hears him altogether merciful, faithful, humane, upright, and religious. There is nothing more necessary to appear to have than this last quality, inasmuch as men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, because it belongs to everybody to see you, to few to come in touch with you. 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; and in the actions of all men, and especially of princes, which it is not prudent to challenge, one judges by the result.”
Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli
Work
The Prince is a seminal work in the field of political science, offering a pragmatic and often ruthless analysis of how to acquire and maintain political power. It explores the nature of leadership, the role of the state, and the use of political strategies to achieve and maintain power. Machiavelli's observations are based on his experience and study of the political landscape of his time, including the rise and fall of various Italian city-states. more
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