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The promise given was necessity of the past: the word borken is a necessity of the present" -Niccolo Machiavelli
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Master the rules of the game until you can play it better they can.
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Michael Scott (The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #3))
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Have you any idea how to wake a hibernating Elder?”
Machiavelli shook his head.
“Mars, what about you? Any advice?”
“Yes. Don’t.
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
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Do I look like I watch Star Trek?
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
“
BILLY: Did you ever watch Star Trek?
MACHIAVELLI: Do I look like I watch Star Trek?
BILLY: It's hard to tell who's a Trekkie.
MACHIAVELLI: Billy, I ran one of the most sophisticated secret service organizations in the world. I did not have time for Star Trek. (pause) I was more of a Star Wars fan. Why do you ask?
BILLY: Well, when Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock beamed down to a planet, usually with Dr. McCoy and sometimes with Scotty from engineering...
MACHIAVELLI: Wait a minute--what's Mr. Spock again?
BILLY: A Vulcan.
MACHIAVELLI: His rank.
BILLY: The first officer.
MACHIAVELLI: So the captain, the first officer, the ship's doctor, and sometimes the engineer all beam down to a planet. Together. The entire complement of the senior officers?
BILLY: (nods)
MACHIAVELLI: And who has command of the ship?
BILLY: (shrug) I don't know. Junior officers, I guess.
MACHIAVELLI: If they worked for me I'd have them court-martialed. That sounds like a gross dereliction of duty.
BILLY: I know. I always thought it was a little odd myself.
”
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
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If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengence need not be feared" Nicolo Machiavelli
Nicholas Jayzon
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Jennifer Loren (The Devil's Revenge (The Devil's Eyes, #2))
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It seemed, wrote Machiavelli, that in the midst of murders and civil wars, our republic became stronger [and] its citizens infused with virtues. … A little bit of agitation gives resources to souls and what makes the species prosper isn’t peace, but freedom.
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Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder)
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Don’t be creative. Don’t be stupid.”
“That’s what Machiavelli said. You guys really have a lot of faith in me, don’t you?”
“Neither one of us wants to lose you. Just be careful, Billy. Careful is my middle name.”
Black Hawk rolled his eyes. “You told me it was Henry.
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
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I need something dramatic.I thought we would start with something theatrical, something that will make an impact on the city,something to focus their attention."
Nereus considered for a moment and then he smiled, revealing his hideous teeth. "I do have the Lotan."
Machiavelli and Billy looked at him blankly.
"The Lotan," Nereus said.
The two immortals shook their heads. "I have no idea what that is," Machiavelli admitted.
"Doesn't sound scary to me," Billy said.
"It's a seven-headed sea dragon."
Machiavelli nodded. "That might work."
"It'll certainly get their attention," Billy muttered.
”
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Who was it who said, 'The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present'?"
The Italian looked quickly at the American immortal and then he dipped his head in a bow. "I do believe I said that once...a long, long time ago."
"You also wrote that a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise," Billy said with a grin.
"Yes, I did say that.You're full of surprises, Billy."
Billy looked from the city to the Italian. "So what do you see-faceless masses or individuals?"
"Individuals," Machiavelli whispered.
"Reason enough to break your promise to your Elder master and a bird-tailed monster?"
Machiavelli nodded. "Reason enough," he said.
"I knew you were going to say that." The American immortal reached out and squeezed the Italian's arm. "You're a good man, Niccolo Machiavelli."
"I don't think so. Right now, my thoughts make me waerloga-an oath breaker.A warlock."
"Warlock." Billy the Kid tilted his head. "I like it. Got a nice ring to it. I'm thinking I might become a warlock too.
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Virginia," Billy said urgently. "Don't do this."
"Shut up,Billy."
"Think of the people in San Francisco."
"I don't know any of the people in San Francisco," Virginia answered, then paused. "Well,actually I do,and I don't like them. But I do like you,Billy, and I'm not going to allow you to end up as lunch for some raggedy lion-monster-thingy."
"A sphinx," Machiavelli corrected her. He was standing at the bars again. "Mistress Dare," the Italian said carefully. "I absolutely applaud you for what you want to do for your friend. But I urge you to think of the bigger picture.
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Nothing. I have no way of getting in touch with Machiavelli."
Virginia produced her wooden flute and spun it in her fingers. "I don't know why you're so worried, Doctor. I can easily lull them to sleep with-"
Before she could finish her sentence a green-skinned, green-haired, fish-tailed woman had leapt straight up out of the sea, snatched the flute from Virginia's fingers and splashed back into the water on the opposite side of the boat, leaving her empty-handed.
Virginia Dare's scream was hideous. Flinging off her smoke-stained jacket and pulling off her shoes,she launched herself over the side of the boat and disappeared beneath the waves without a trace.
”
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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This is what I have always loved about you humans. You are essentially good.”
“Not everyone,” Machiavelli said tiredly.
“No. Not everyone. But enough.
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
“
Niccolo Machiavelli folded his arms across his chest and looked at the alchemyst. “I always knew we would meet again,” he said in French. “Though I never imagined it would be in these circumstances,” he added with a smile. “I was certain I’d get you in Paris last Saturday.” He bowed, an old-fashioned courtly gesture as Perenelle joined her husband. “Mistress Perenelle, it seems we are forever destined to meet on islands.”
“The last time we met you had poisoned my husband and attempted to kill me,” Perenelle reminded him, speaking in Italian.
Over three thousand years previously, the Sorceress and the Italian had fought at the foot of Mount Etna in Sicily. Although Perenelle had defeated Machiavelli, the energies they unleashed caused the ancient volcano to erupt. Lava flowed for five weeks after the battle and destroyed ten villages.
“Forgive me. I was younger then, and foolish. And you emerged the victor of the encounter. I carry the scars to this day.”
“Let us try and not blow up this island,” she said with a smile. Then she stretched out her hand. “I saw you try to save me earlier. There is no longer any enmity between us.”
Machiavelli took her fingers in his and bent over them. “Thank you. That pleases me.
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Michael Scott (The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #6))
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Was this how you were going to awaken the creatures?"
Machiavelli,clutching the bars of his cell,smiled but said nothing.
Virginia stood in front of Dee and stared into his eyes,using herwill to calm him down. "So you tried to use the pages to awaken the cratures.Tell me what happened."
Dee jabbed a finger into the nearest cell. It was empty. Virginia stepped closer and discovered the pile of white dust in the corner.
"I don't even know what was in the cell-some winged monstrosity.Giant vampire bat,I think.I said the words,and the creature opened its eyes and immediately crumbled to dust."
"Maybe you said a word wrong?" Virginia suggested. She plucked a scrap of paper from Josh's hands. "I mean,it looks difficult."
"I am fluent," Dee snapped.
"He is," Machiavelli said, "I will give him that.And his accent is very good too, though not quite as good as mine."
Dee spun back to the cell holding Machiavelli. "Tell me what went wrong."
Machiavelli seemed to be considering it; then he shook his head. "I don't think so."
Dee jerked his thumb at the sphinx. "Right now she's absorbing your aura,ensuring that you cannot use any spells against me. But she'll be just as happy eating your flesh.Isn't that true?"he said, looking up into the crature's female face.
"Oh,I love Italian," she rumbled. She stepped away from Dee and dipped her head to look into the opposite cell. "Give me this one," she said,nodding at Billy the Kid. "He'll make a tasty snack." Her long black forked tongue flickered in the air before the outlaw, who immediately grabbed it,jerked it forward and allowed it to snap back like an elastic band. She screamed,coughed, and squawked all at the same time.
Billy grinned."I'll make sure I'll choke you on the way down."
"It might be difficult to do that if you have no arms," the sphinx said thickly,working her tongue back and forth.
"I'll still give you indigestion."
Dee looked at Machiavelli. "Tell me," he said again, "or I will feed your young American friend to the beast."
"Tell him nothing," Billy yelled.
"This is one of those occasions when I am in agreement with Billy.I am going to tell you nothing."
The Magician looked from one side of the cell to the other. Then he looked at Machiavelli."What happened to you? You were one of the Dark Elders' finest agents in this Shadowrealm. There were times you even made me look like an amateur."
"John,you were always an amateur." Machiavelli smiled."Why, look at the mess you're in now.
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote, citing him: “It seemed, wrote Machiavelli, that in the midst of murders and civil wars, our republic became stronger [and] its citizens infused with virtues.… A little bit of agitation gives resources to souls and what makes the species prosper isn’t peace, but freedom.
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Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder)
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Do we have a kraken?” Billy asked quickly. “Could we unleash a kraken?” Nereus and Machiavelli turned to look at the young American immortal. “What?” he asked, looking from one to the other. He turned to Machiavelli. “What?”
The Italian’s gray eyes blazed a warning.
“We do not have a kraken,” Nereus said. “Besides, even if I did have a kraken, they’re only about this big.” He spread his thumb and forefinger roughly an inch apart.
”
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))
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Perhaps it is the most cunning and dangerous of all villians," Dagon said quietly. "A Humani
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Michael Scott (Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris (Lost Stories from the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #2))
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Lava crust," he said, voice hushed in wonder. "It's lava crust. The fire is burning within the creature's skin."
"No wonder it's in pain," Machiavelli muttered.
"You sound almost sorry for it," Dee snapped.
"I never traded my humanity for my long life, Doctor. I've always remembered my roots." His voice hardened, turning contemptous. "You worked so hard to be like your Elder master that you've forgotten what it is like to feel human—to be human. And we humans"—he stressed the last word—"have the capacity to feel another creature's pain. It is what lifted the humani above the Elders, it is what made them great."
—Michael Scott, The Magician
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Michael Scott (The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #2))
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Lava crust," he said, voice hushed in wonder. "It's lava crust. The fire is burning within the creature's skin."
"No wonder it's in pain," Machiavelli muttered.
"You sound almost sorry for it," Dee snapped.
"I never traded my humanity for my long life, Doctor. I've always remembered my roots." His voice hardened, turning contemptous. "You worked so hard to be like your Elder master that you've forgotten what it is like to feel human—to be human. And we humans"—he stressed the last word—"have the capacity to feel another creature's pain. It is what lifted the humani above the Elders, it is what made them great.
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Michael Scott (The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #2))
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Nor did the point escape Machiavelli. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote, citing him: “It seemed, wrote Machiavelli, that in the midst of murders and civil wars, our republic became stronger [and] its citizens infused
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Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder)
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De stad heeft zo'n 2100 kilometer riool... Ongeveer 1300 mijl. Maar maak je geen zorgen. Verdwalen zullen we niet. De meeste hebben hun eigen straatnaambord. - Machiavelli, over Parijs
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Michael Scott (The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #2))
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Scathach zei dat jij veel gevaarlijker en sluwer bent dan Dee. - Josh
Dat is het aardigste wat ze ooit over me heeft gezegd. - Machiavelli
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Michael Scott (The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #2))
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Ik heb wel de lotan.'
Machiavelli en Billy keken hem wezenloos aan.
'Dé lotan,' zei Nereus.
De twee onsterfelijken schudden hun hoofd. 'Ik heb geen idee wat dat is,' bekende Machiavelli.
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Michael Scott (The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5))