Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.
Niccolo MachiavelliThe sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers; for gold alone will not procure good soldiers, but good soldiers will always procure gold.
Niccolo MachiavelliNo enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
Niccolo MachiavelliTo ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.
Niccolo MachiavelliAnd here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy.
Niccolo Machiavelli