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The people resemble a wild beast, which, naturally fierce and accustomed to live in the woods, has been brought up, as it were, in a prison and in servitude, and having by accident got its liberty, not being accustomed to search for its food, and not knowing where to conceal itself, easily becomes the prey of the first who seeks to incarcerate it again.

— Niccolò Machiavelli Discourses on Livy (1517)

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More quotes by Niccolò Machiavelli

Discipline in war counts more than fury.

The Art of War (1520)

Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed, the same desires and passions.

Discourses on Livy (1517)

Cunning and deceit will every time serve a man better than force to rise from a base condition to great fortune.

Discourses on Livy (1517)

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

Florentine Histories (1526)

Fear of evil is greater than the evil itself.

The Mandrake (1524)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Niccolò Machiavelli (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.