"We must bear in mind, then, that..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
We must bear in mind, then, that there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful of success, than an attempt to introduce a new order of things in any state. For the innovator has for enemies all those who derived advantages from the old order of things, whilst those who expect to be benefited by the new institutions will be but lukewarm defenders.
More by Niccolo Machiavelli
“Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.”
“There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.”
“And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame.”
More on Change
“Instead of the scream of a fish hawk scaring the fishes, is heard the whistle of the steam-engine, arousing a country to its progress.”
“Our life is what our thoughts make it. A man will find that as he alters his thoughts toward things and other people, things and other people will alter towards him.”
“Use almost can change the stamp of nature.”
More on Innovation
“Learn and obey the rules very well so you will know how to break them properly.”
“A reporter called on Edison to interview him about a substitute for lead in the manufacture of storage batteries that the scientist was seeking. Edison informed the man that he had made 20,000 experiments but none had worked. "Aren't you discouraged by all this waste of effort?" the reporter asked. Edison: "Waste! There's nothing wasted. I have discovered 20,000 things that won't work."”
“We can best help you to prevent war not by repeating your words and following your methods but by finding new words and creating new methods.”