Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.

So far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should know how to follow evil.

Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.

The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.

Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss.