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.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A new leader must decisively address potential threats to their power.
This quote by Niccolo Machiavelli suggests that a ruler, upon taking power, must carefully assess the actions that may be necessary to secure their position. It implies that swift and definitive actions must be taken to eliminate rival threats or dissent, establishing a strong foundation for leadership and authority.
Themes
LeadershipPowerAuthorityStrategyPolitics
In practice
Example use cases
During a workshop on effective leadership, one might quote Machiavelli to highlight the importance of decisive action.
More from Niccolo Machiavelli
All quotes βFor that reason, let a prince have the credit of conquering and holding his state, the means will always be considered honest, and he will be praised by everybody because the vulgar are always taken by what a thing seems to be and by what comes of it; and in the world there are only the vulgar, for the few find a place there only when the many have no ground to rest on.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about his own ruin than his preservation.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
Similar quotes
Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them.
LaoziRead
The speed of the fleet is not determined by the fastest vessel; rather it is determined by the slowest one.
Wen JiabaoRead
America's promises do not come with a price tag. We meet our commitments. We bear our burdens. That's one of the reasons why almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago when I took office.
Barack ObamaRead
I ask particularly that those of you who are now in school will prepare yourselves to bear the burden of leadership over the next 40 years here in the United States, and make sure that the United States - which I believe almost alone has maintained watch and ward for freedom - that the United States meet its responsibility. That is a wonderful challenge for us as a people.
John F. KennedyRead
When we say that leadership is a choice, it basically means you can choose the level of initiative you want to exercise in response to the question, βWhat is the best I can do under the given circumstances?β
Stephen CoveyRead
As more women 'lean in' and we collectively continue to fight sexism, there's another barrier to progress that hasn't been addressed: Many men who would like to see more women leaders are afraid to speak up about it.
Adam GrantRead