Famous quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

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

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

- Niccolo Machiavelli

About this Quote

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.

About the Author

Niccolo Machiavelli This quote is written / told by Niccolo Machiavelli between May 3, 1469 and June 21, 1527. He was a famous Writer from Italy. The author also have 47 other quotes.

Go to author profile

Similar Quotes

Small: The only medicine for suffering, crime, and all the other woes of mankind, is wisdom - Thomas Huxley
Thomas Huxley
"The only medicine for suffering, crime, and all the other woes of mankind, is wisdom"
Thomas Huxley, Scientist
Small: Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind -
Neil Armstrong
"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind"
Neil Armstrong, Astronaut
Small: Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for
Bertrand Russell
"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind"
Bertrand Russell, Philosopher
Small: Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of des
Mahatma Gandhi
"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man"
Mahatma Gandhi, Leader
Small: Music is the universal language of mankind - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Music is the universal language of mankind"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Poet
Small: Our true nationality is mankind - H.G. Wells
H.G. Wells
"Our true nationality is mankind"
H.G. Wells, Author
Small: The law, which restrains a man from doing mischief to his fellow citizens, though it diminishes the natural, i
"The law, which restrains a man from doing mischief to his fellow citizens, though it diminishes the natural, increases the civil liberty of mankind"
William Blackstone, Judge
Small: The common behavior of mankind is the system of reference by means of which we interpret an unknown language -
Ludwig Wittgenstein
"The common behavior of mankind is the system of reference by means of which we interpret an unknown language"
Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosopher
Small: The world is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind - H. P. Lovecraft
"The world is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind"
H. P. Lovecraft, Novelist
Small: Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the fo
Thomas Jefferson
"Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed"
Thomas Jefferson, President