So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied

So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied

Niccolò Machiavelli, the renowned Italian philosopher and political theorist, is often associated with his controversial views on power and governance. One of his most famous quotes, "So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied," encapsulates his pragmatic approach to understanding human nature and the dynamics of political power.

Machiavelli believed that the key to maintaining stability and order in society was to ensure that the majority of people had a vested interest in the existing social order. By guaranteeing that most individuals had access to property and were able to maintain their honor and dignity, rulers could prevent widespread discontent and rebellion. In Machiavelli's view, people were generally content as long as their basic needs were met and they felt respected and valued within the social hierarchy.

However, Machiavelli also recognized that the pursuit of power and the maintenance of authority often required rulers to make difficult and morally ambiguous decisions. He famously argued that rulers should be willing to use deceit, manipulation, and even violence to achieve their political goals. Machiavelli believed that the ends justified the means, and that rulers should prioritize the stability and security of the state above all else.