Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.

This remark is commonly attributed to Machiavelli’s advice literature on princely rule, where he analyzes how rulers can secure and maintain power amid unstable alliances and popular opinion. It reflects his observation—drawn from the politics of Renaissance Italy—that many people judge by immediate appearances and short-term advantage rather than by careful scrutiny. In that environment, a leader who understands public credulity and the pull of present desires can more easily manipulate rivals, subjects, or foreign powers. The line is typically cited in discussions of Machiavelli’s counsel about deception, reputation, and the practical psychology of political life.

The quote argues that deception is perpetually effective because human beings are easily swayed by immediate wants—fear, hope, greed, or the promise of quick relief. Machiavelli’s point is less a celebration of trickery than a cold diagnosis of vulnerability: when people prioritize the “desires of the moment,” they lower their guard and become complicit in their own manipulation. The aphorism also implies a structural asymmetry in politics and persuasion: the deceiver needs only one willing victim, and there will always be someone ready to believe what they want to be true. It underscores Machiavelli’s reputation for realism about power and human psychology.