Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

More quotes by Niccolo Machiavelli

View all
"There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others."

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Courage

"A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair."

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Adversity

"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred."

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Leadership

"It is better to be feared than to be loved, if you cannot be both."

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Leadership

"A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests."

- Niccolo Machiavelli

Faith

More Ambition Quotes

View all
"What a wonderful time to be young! You have knowledge of many more things than we needed to have. It is my conviction that your generation is better and stronger than was ours — better in many ways! I have faith that you young men and young women can meet the world on its own terms and conquer it!"

- President Boyd K. Packer

Ambition

"Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too."

- Mark Twain

Ambition

"Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ballpark. Aim for the company of immortals."

- David Ogilvy

Ambition

"No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed."

- Billie Jean King

Ambition

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

- Michael Jordan

Ambition