"Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain"

Niccolo Machiavelli's quote paints a bleak picture of humanity. He recommends that people are usually untrustworthy, insincere, and motivated by greed. This is a pessimistic view of human nature, but it is one that has been echoed throughout history. People have often been implicated of being selfish and unreliable, and Machiavelli's quote is a suggestion of this.

The quote likewise suggests that people are encouraged by material gain. This is a common theme in Machiavelli's work, as he believed that people were driven by their own self-interest. He argued that people wanted to do whatever it required to get ahead, even if it meant sacrificing their morals.

Eventually, Machiavelli's quote serves as a warning to those in power. He thought that people were unreliable and motivated by greed, and that leaders ought to watch out for this. He argued that leaders should be aware of the potential for individuals to act in their own self-interest, and ought to be prepared to act to prevent it.