It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.

It is a true observation of ancient writers, that as men are apt to be cast down by adversity, so they, are easily satiated with prosperity, and that joy and grief produce the same effects. For whenever men are not obliged by necessity to fight they fight from ambition, which is so powerful a passion in the human breast that however high we reach we are never satisfied.

In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

He who would foresee what is to happen should look to what has happened: for all that is has its counterpart in time past.

For it must be noted, that men must either be caressed or else annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but cannot do so for great ones; the injury therefore that we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.