He [the prince] holds to what is right when he can but knows how to do wrong when he must.

Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince

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More information about this quote

Topic

Moral relativism Expediency Political theory

Author

Niccolo Machiavelli

Source

The Prince

Medium

Treatise

Genre

Political literature Philosophical literature

Language

Italian

Time

1532 1530s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

Italy Europe

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Machiavelli, Niccolò. Il Principe [The Prince]. Rome: Antonio Blado d'Asola, 1532.

Current Citation

Machiavelli, Nicolò. The Prince, translated by Peter Bondanella. Oxford University Press, 2005.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Niccolo Machiavelli about moral relativism: “He [the prince] holds to what is right when he can but knows how…”
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A quote by Niccolo Machiavelli about moral relativism: “He [the prince] holds to what is right when he can but knows how…”
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A quote by Niccolo Machiavelli about moral relativism: “He [the prince] holds to what is right when he can but knows how…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote about Political theory

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 15

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More information about this quote
Topic
Political theory Government Politics Human nature

Author

Alexander Hamilton
Source
Federalist 15 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1787 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union." Independent Journal, 1 Dec. 1787.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. 15: Its great defect: can only legislate for states.--Hamilton." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from European Renaissance

But be not afraid of greatness.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.

William Shakespeare

Twelfth Night

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More information about this quote
Topic
Greatness
Speaker
Malvolio

Author

William Shakespeare
Source
Twelfth Night
Medium
Play
Genre
Comedy (play) Romantic comedy (play)
Language
English
Time
1602 1600s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night, Or What You Will. 1602, Middle Temple Hall, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 5.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Twelfth Night." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 5.

Another quote originally in Italian

We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.

Pope Benedict XVI

More information about this quote
Topic
Decline of religion Moral relativism
Speaker
Pope Benedict XVI
Medium
Sermon
Language
Italian
Time
2005 2000s 21st century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Cardinal Ratzinger, Joseph (later Pope Benedict XVI). "Homily of His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger." Conclave of cardinals, Mass. 18 Apr. 2005, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.