NiccoloMachiavelli is synonymous with political deceit, cynicism and ruthlessness. He called his most famous work, The Prince, a handbook for statesmen. An exhibit in Rome celebrates the 500th anniversary of what'sstill one of the most influential political essays in Western literature. Machiavelli's name is a byword for immorality and political scheming. But that's deeply unfair. Quote of the day by NiccolòMachiavellistill feels painfully relevant in 2026. His famous lion-and-fox philosophy explains why many people fail despite intelligence, talent, or confidence. NiccoloMachiavelli, Italian Renaissance political philosopher, statesman, and secretary of the Florentine republic. His most famous work is The Prince (Il Principe), which brought him a reputation as an atheist and an immoral cynic. Read here to learn more about NiccoloMachiavelli. Discover NiccoloMachiavelli famous and rare quotes. Share NiccoloMachiavelli quotations about war, politics and literature. "it is better to act and repent than..." Advice like this, offered by NiccolòMachiavelli in The Prince, made its author’s name synonymous with the ruthless use of power. But Robert Harrison suggests you should be careful before looking for leadership lessons in The Prince. First published Tue Sep 13, 2005; substantive revision Wed Dec 6, 2023.Machiavelli’s political theory, then, excludes issues of moral authority and legitimacy from consideration in the discussion of political decision-making and political judgment.