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.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.

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

So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.

Hence it comes that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.