God creates men, but they choose each other.

In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity, reascend; and thus from good they gradually decline to evil, and from evil again return to good. The reason is, that valor produces peace; peace, repose; repose, disorder; disorder, ruin; so from disorder order springs; from order virtue, and from this, glory and good fortune.

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Any harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.

Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them.

He who is the cause of another's advancement is thereby the cause of his own ruin.

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.