...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.

In our own days we have seen no princes accomplish great results save those who have been accounted miserly.

Never do your enemy a minor injury.

...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.

The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers.

It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.