New Delhi, March 20 -- "Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please." - Niccolò Machiavelli

LiveMint's quote of the day is by Niccolò Machiavelli, who was arguably the most influential political thinker of the Renaissance period.

Even decades later, his words resonate the same as the Israel-US-Iran conflict, which also triggered tensions in the Middle East, show no signs of easing.

On Friday, three United States' officials said that the military is deploying thousands of additional Marines and Sailors to the Middle East. The development comes amid the ongoing conflict which is currently in its third week.

In simpler terms, Machiavelli's quote means that leaders can wage a 'war' whenever they want, but how i...