The innovator has for enemies all who have done well under the old, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

The innovator has for enemies all who have done well under the old, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

They have not any difficulties on the way up because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

He who has annexed them, if he wishes to hold them, has only to bear in mind two considerations: the one, that the family of their former lord is extinguished; the other, that neither their laws nor their taxes are altered, so that in a very short time they will become entirely one body with the old principality.

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed

A prince... must learn from the fox and the lion... One must be a fox in order to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten off wolves. Those who act simply as lions are stupid. So it follows that a prudent ruler cannot, and must not, honour his word when it places him at a disadvantage and when the reasons for which he made his promise no longer exist.