One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

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

Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.

It is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved? It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.

It should be borne in mind that there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, and more dangerous to carry through than initiating changes. The innovator makes enemies of all those who prospered under the old order, and only lukewarm support is forthcoming from those who would prosper under the new. Their support is lukewarm ... partly because men are generally incredulous, never really trusting new things unless they have tested them by experience.