With difficulty he is beaten who can estimate his own forces and those of his enemy.
Niccolo MachiavelliWe have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.
Niccolo MachiavelliFor among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.
Niccolo MachiavelliAnd it will always happen that he who is not your friend will request your neutrality and he who is your friend will ask you to declare yourself by taking up arms. And irresolute princes, in order to avoid present dangers, follow the neutral road most of the time, and most of the time they are ruined.
Niccolo Machiavelli