Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 –1527) was an Italian historian, politician and philosopher based in Florence during the Renaissance. He was a founder of modern political science, and more specifically, political ethics. He wrote his masterpiece, The Prince, which is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern political philosophy in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal.
The descriptions within The Prince have the general theme of accepting that the aims of princes—such as glory and survival—can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends.
His moral and ethical beliefs led to the creation of the word ‘Machiavellianism’. To this day, when someone, especially a politician, acts in a ruthless way we call them ‘Machiavellian’.
Many famous quotes about power come from The Prince: “the ends justifies the means” and “history is written by the victors.”
More quotes from The Prince
“He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.”
“I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.” “Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.”
“People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.”
 ‘The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don’t just go away, they are only postponed to someone else’s advantage.’ –Machiavelli
The descriptions within The Prince have the general theme of accepting that the aims of princes—such as glory and survival—can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends.
His moral and ethical beliefs led to the creation of the word ‘Machiavellianism’. To this day, when someone, especially a politician, acts in a ruthless way we call them ‘Machiavellian’.
Many famous quotes about power come from The Prince: “the ends justifies the means” and “history is written by the victors.”
More quotes from The Prince
“He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.”
“I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.” “Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.”
“People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.”
 ‘The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don’t just go away, they are only postponed to someone else’s advantage.’ –Machiavelli