Statecraft Quotes

“One must always keep the tools of statecraft sharp and ready. Power and fear – sharp and ready.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune

“For, although one may be very strong in armed forces, yet in entering a province one has always need of the goodwill of the natives.”
― Machiavelli, Niccolo, The Prince

“Deceit is a tool of statecraft," Irulan agreed.
"There are limits to power, as those who put their hopes in a constitution always discover," Paul said.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah

“Confronted by menace or what is perceived as menace, governments will usually attempt to smash it, rarely to examine it, understand it, and drefine it.”
― Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam

“Diplomacy without armaments is like music without instruments. – Frederick the Great”
― George F. Will, The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric

“We had deluded ourselves that perhaps peace might find the Arabs able, unhelped and untaught, to defend themselves with paper tools. Meanwhile we glozed our fraud by conducting their necessary war purely and cheaply. But now this gloss had gone from me. Chargeable against my conceit were the causeless, ineffectual deaths of Hesa. My will had gone and I feared to be alone, lest the winds of circumstance, or power, or lust, blow my empty soul away.”
― T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph

“Princes give rewards with their own hands,
But death or punishment by the hands of other.”
― John Webster, The White Devil

“Whether you extrapolate from Machiavelli or Castiglione, a kind of unworthy wisdom has stood the test of time in statecraft: you should have principles to make your conduct predictable, but at the same time know that you are limiting your options. It works if you are strong because you can force others to conform; but if you are weak, then having no principles means you have limitless options for action and can adjust through flexibility to acts dictated by others.”
― Khaled Ahmed, Sleepwalking to Surrender: Dealing with Terrorism in Pakistan

“As the pace of the campaign quickened, politics began to clash with Kennedy's innate sense of responsibility. – Arthur Schlesinger”
― David Pietrusza, 1960--LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon: The Epic Campaign That Forged Three Presidencies

“State first, subject second, statesman last.”
― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

“If you look at it closely, every individual is a separate entity, state and culture. The macro state is a federation of citizens who accept to live under the same law.”
― Bangambiki Habyarimana, Book of Wisdom

“To create the premises for peace and harmony, both domestically and internationally, it is important to account for the fragility in our nature and build accountable institutions that guarantee human dignity for all, at all times and under all circumstances.”
― Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan

“One of the most potent strategies in the pursuit of power is to create divisions among your adversaries, weakening their alliances and making them more susceptible to your influence. Be attuned to the tensions and rivalries that exist within your sphere of influence, and learn how to exploit them for your own gain. By sowing discord among your rivals, you can more easily bend them to your will and consolidate your power.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“Initial uniformity can be deceiving, warns the author, because parties arrive at that state from so many different motives which will be exposed over time.”
― Donald R. Hickey, The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict

“Bismarck expressed in these words the very essence of the political history of nations, the whole secret of statecraft. The constant predominance and triumph of force—that is its real essence, while everything that political language calls right is merely the consecration of a fact created by force. Clearly, the masses thirsting for liberation cannot expect it from the theoretical triumph of abstract right; they must conquer freedom by force, and to do so they must organize their own spontaneous forces outside of the state and against it.”
― Mikhail Bakunin, Statism and Anarchy

“Power, in its many forms, is an irresistible force that captivates the human mind and drives our ambitions. The desire for power is a universal trait, and as a Machiavellian dreamer, it is essential to recognize and embrace this truth. By understanding the lure of power, you can harness its potential and make it the cornerstone of your dreams.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“The first step in embracing the lure of power is to identify the specific pillars of power that you seek. These can include wealth, influence, control over others, or any other aspects of power that resonate with your ambitions. Reflect on what power means to you and how it can serve your dreams. By pinpointing the precise elements of power you desire, you can better focus your efforts and strategies.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“The lure of power can serve as a potent motivator, driving you to push beyond your perceived limits and conquer new territories. As you dream of the life you desire, allow the enticement of power to fuel your ambition and propel you toward your goals. Recognize that the pursuit of power is an ongoing endeavor, and that the appetite for power will never be fully satiated.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“As you pursue your dreams, you must develop your skills in manipulation, learning to bend others to your will and turn adversaries into allies. Study the intricacies of human nature and use your newfound knowledge to exploit the weaknesses and desires of those around you.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“As you wield your influence and control, be prepared to make sacrifices and face the consequences of your actions. Understand that, in the pursuit of power, you may lose friends, alienate allies, and create enemies. Embrace the darker aspects of power and accept the costs that come with it.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“dreams. By understanding the various dimensions of power and embracing its potential, you can make it the driving force behind your ambitions. Harness the magnetic nature of power, feed your ambition, and develop your skills in manipulation to shape the life you desire. Always remember, however, that power comes at a price – be prepared to face the consequences of your actions as you ascend to the throne of your dreams.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“By understanding the various dimensions of power and embracing its potential, you can make it the driving force behind your ambitions. Harness the magnetic nature of power, feed your ambition, and develop your skills in manipulation to shape the life you desire. Always remember, however, that power comes at a price – be prepared to face the consequences of your actions as you ascend to the throne of your dreams.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“The Machiavellian dreamer understands that the pursuit of power is akin to a game of chess, and it is through the mastery of strategy that one can achieve victory.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“Envision your life as a chessboard, with each piece representing an aspect of your dreams, resources, and potential obstacles. It is through the careful manipulation of these pieces that you can gain the upper hand in your pursuit of power. Study the board, learn the strengths and weaknesses of each piece, and plan your moves with precision and foresight.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“A skilled strategist knows when to bide their time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike or exploit a weakness in their adversaries. Learn to cultivate patience, and use it to gather intelligence, assess the shifting landscape of influence, and prepare for the moments when decisive action is required.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“When confronted with adversity, the cunning dreamer will seek not only to overcome obstacles but also to exploit them. By identifying the weaknesses of your adversaries and the vulnerabilities in their defenses, you can turn adversity to your advantage, using the very challenges that stand in your way to propel you closer to your goals.”
― Kevin L. Michel, Machiavellian Dreams: A Manual

“This is what I think about the degeneration of the idea of regere once it has become secularized and separated from the traditional spiritual basis: it is merely a temporal and centralizing idea. When considering yet another aspect of this deviation, one will notice that it is typical of all priestly castes to refuse to acknowledge the imperial function and to aim at deconsecration of the concept of state and of royalty. Thus, without often realizing it, the priestly caste contributed to the formation of that lay and "realistic" mentality that unavoidably was destined to rise up against priestly authority itself and to ban any of its effective interferences against the state.”
― Julius Evola, Revolt Against the Modern World

“There comes a moment in every escalation toward war when both sides convince their people that ONLY the enemy - is killing civilians. From that moment on, the people no longer question what is being done in their name - not because they understand the facts, but because they have been taught which side to trust. Moral superiority is no longer something to be earned through law abidance or actions that uphold compassion ; it becomes something inherited, assumed, and unquestioned. It is granted by the language of nationalism - a language that turns mere belonging into heroism, and turns difference into danger.

In such moments, truth itself is redefined. It is no longer discovered through evidence or deliberation, but delivered by authority. The state becomes not just a source of power, but the source of reality. Its statements are accepted not because they are verified, but because they are voiced. To believe is an act of loyalty. To question is an act of betrayal.

In the nationalist imagination, the state never chooses violence. It is always forced into it - reluctantly, regretfully, righteously. The bombs it drops are described as ‘surgical,’ never aggressive. Its silences are portrayed as ‘stoic,’ never evasive. Its violations of international law are framed as necessary exceptions- forced by an enemy so evil, so unprecedented, that no rule could have possibly anticipated it. The UN Charter, and every other instrument of global order, is dismissed as naïve when faced with such supposed monstrosity.

Those at the borders lose their lives. Those in the working class lose their livelihoods. But they are told they have gained something greater - they are told they have won their pride.

This is the choreography of belief - a theatre where justice is no longer demonstrated but declared, and in which power no longer submits to truth, but bends truth to its design. Both sides claim moral victory. Both rewrite their schoolbooks. And in the quiet aftermath, what cannot be reconciled with the myth of righteousness is left outside the margins of memory. This is civilizational narcissism: a worldview that no longer asks what is right, but only what is useful- even if it means forgetting what must never be forgotten.”
― Adeel Ahmed Khan

“Sama meant conciliation or alliances; Dana was giving gifts or compensation; Bheda was to reason with logic, and Danda meant physical altercation or war.”
― Afp Kozhipatt, British Raj Thillana: The Finale

“The hyphen in “nation-state” hides an inversion. It claims the people created the state, while in practice the state manufactures the people it needs.”
― Adeel Ahmed Khan