A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy; that is, when he declares himself on the side of one prince against another without any reservation.

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

The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

Results are often obtained by impetuosity and daring which could never have been obtained by ordinary methods.

it is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed

Nevertheless, he must be cautious in believing and acting, and must not inspire fear of his own accord, and must proceed in a temperate manner with prudence and humanity, so that too much confidence does not render him incautious, and too much diffidence does not render him intolerant. From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved more than feared, or feared more than loved.