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The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

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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)

All Niccolò Machiavelli quotes →

Attribution

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.