It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler. For men are so simple, and yield so much to immediate necessity, that the deceiver will never lack dupes.

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

The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox.

Men are of three different capacities: one understands intuitively; another understands so far as it is explained; and a third understands neither of himself nor by explanation. The first is excellent, the second, commendable, and the third, altogether useless.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

For whoever conquers a free Town, and does not demolish it, commits a great Error, and may expect to be ruin 'd himself.

Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.