One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

A prince being thus obliged to know well how to act as a beast must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot protect himself from snares, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves.

For a long time I have not said what I believed, nor do I ever believe what I say, and if indeed sometimes I do happen to tell the truth, I hide it among so many lies that it is hard to find.

One should never fall in the belief that you can find someone to pick you up.