"Anyone who becomes master of a city..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli
Anyone who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it may expect to be destroyed by it; for such a city may always justify rebellion in the name of liberty and its ancient institutions.
More by Niccolo Machiavelli
“it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.”
“One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage”
“There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.”
More on Freedom
“We're approaching the end of a bloody century plagued by a terrible political invention, totalitarianism. Optimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous, but because democracy's enemies have refined their instruments of repression.”
“There is preparing, I hope, under the auspices of heaven, a way for a total emancipation.”
“Expression and the right to express is vital, anyone can be artistic.”
More on Governance
“Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.”
“Where the Government is weak, military sway prevails.”
“I only wish, while I am a servant of the public, to know the will of my masters, that I may govern my self accordingly.”