Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage.

Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself.

Cruelties should be committed all at once.

And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is merited but is not secured, and at times is not to be had.

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them