Fanaticism is just one step away from barbarism.

It has been said that love robs those who have it of their wit, and gives it to those who have none.

The arbitrary rule of a just and enlightened prince is always bad. His virtues are the most dangerous and the surest form of seduction: they lull a people imperceptibly into the habit of loving, respecting, and serving his successor, whoever that successor may be, no matter how wicked or stupid.

Only the bad man is alone.

Evil always turns up in this world through some genius or other.

Scepticism is the first step towards truth.

The world is the house of the strong.