The first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful. But when they are otherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him, for the prime error which he made was in choosing them. (as tranlsated by W. K. Marriott)
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Ch. 22. Variant translation: The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.Niccolo Machiavelli
» Niccolo Machiavelli - all quotes »
The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
John Stuart Mill
At the moment my most intimate liaison is with Mr. Algernon Sidney; he is the man in England who seems to me to have the greatest understanding of affairs; he has great relations with the rest of the Republican party; And nobody in my opinion is more capable of rendering service than him.
Algernon Sydney
Not one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
Plato
"The design of the great God in sending us into this world, and organizing us to prepare us for eternal worlds, I shall keep in my own bosom at present." (DHC 5:403) He also said "It is not always wise to relate all truth." (DHC 6:608) Clearly, he followed this philosophy for when he was at one time expounding on some parables he was asked: "What is the meaning of the scripture, 'He that is faithful over a few things shall be made ruler over many; and he that is faithful over many, shall be made ruler over many more?' What is the meaning of the parable of the ten talents? Also the conversation with Nicodemus 'Except a man be born of water and of the spirit?' were questions put to me which I shall not answer at present." (DHC 5:325)
Joseph Smith
Whoever has used what means he is capable of, for the informing of himself, with a readiness to believe and obey what shall be taught and prescribed by Jesus, his Lord and King, is a true and faithful subject of Christ s kingdom ; and cannot be thought to fail in any thing necessary to salvation.
John Locke
Machiavelli, Niccolo
Mailer, Norman
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