For a prince should have two fears: one, internal concerning his subjects; the other, external, concerning foreign powers. From the latter he can always defend himself by his good troops and friends; and he will always have good friends if he has good troops.
Niccolo MachiavelliThere are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.
Niccolo MachiavelliThe greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.
Niccolo Machiavelli