Ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, by Theme

[Italian, 1469 - 1527, Born and died in Florence. Worked for the Medici family in Florence. Driven into exile.]

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23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 3. Promise Keeping

7127	If men are good you should keep promises, but they aren't, so you needn't

24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions

6309	The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies

24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism

6306	People are vengeful, so be generous to them, or destroy them

6305	To retain a conquered state, wipe out the ruling family, and preserve everything else

6308	A sensible conqueror does all his harmful deeds immediately, because people soon forget

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars

6307	A desire to conquer, and men who do it, are always praised, or not blamed

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 2. Religion in Society

7486	Machiavelli emancipated politics from religion [Watson]

19813

All legislators invoke God in support of extraordinary laws, because their justification is not obvious

7126	Rulers should preserve the foundations of religion, to ensure good behaviour and unity