Niccolo Machiavelli
1469-1527
Political Philosophy
In order to win and retain power a man is fortunate if he is born to power,
for a man who rises to power by conquest or treachery makes enemies
who must be eliminated.
If a prince must be cruel - and sometimes he must to retain power -
he should be cruel quikly,and he should cause great injuries,
for small injuries do not keep a man from revenge.
A prince should be concerned for the people he governs only
to the extend that such concern strengthens his hold on the state.
Although a prince can sometimes afford to be virtuous,flattery,deceit,
and even muredre are often necessary if the prince is to mantain
himself in power.
