The great proof of madness is the disproportion of one's designs to one's means.
Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.
I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies.
I cannot believe there is a god who punishes and rewards, for I see honest folk unlucky, and rogues unlucky.
A prince should suspect everything.
There is no Nation however small which had the right to set itself free, that has not rescued itself from the dishonour of obeying the Prince imposed by an enemy in the hour of victory.