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Here are several quotes of wisdom from **Niccolò Machiavelli**, the Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer best known for *The Prince*:
1. **”It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”**
– Perhaps his most famous line, this reflects Machiavelli’s belief in pragmatism over idealism in leadership.
2. **”The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.”**
– A call to decisiveness and timely action, vital in both politics and personal affairs.
3. **”Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”**
– A reflection on the gap between perception and reality, and the power of appearances.
4. **”He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.”**
– Leadership requires not just desire, but also competence and authority.
5. **”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.”**
– A metaphor for the ideal leader: cunning and strong.
6. **”Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”**
– An unsettling but realistic take on power dynamics and strategy.
7. **”The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”**
– A leader is often revealed by the quality of their advisors and allies.
Would you like a few lesser-known but equally sharp lines from his letters or discourses?