There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
More Quotes from Niccolo Machiavelli:
Fortune is a woman, and therefore friendly to the young, who with audacity command her.Niccoló Machiavelli
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
Niccoló Machiavelli
Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.
Niccoló Machiavelli
It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.
Niccolo Machiavelli
A prince must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those that wish to be only lions do not understand this. Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.
Niccoló Machiavelli
As laws are necessary that good manners may be preserved, so there is need of good manners that laws may be maintained.
Niccoló Machiavelli
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Based on Topics: Countries Quotes, Religions & Spirituality QuotesBased on Keywords: rites, surer
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