The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered.

Some princes, so as to hold securely the state, have disarmed their subjects, others have kept their subject towns distracted by factions...Our forefathers, and those who were reckoned wise, were accustomed to say that it was necessary to hold Pistoia [an Italian city] by factions and Pisa by fortress, and with this idea they fostered quarrels in some of their tributary towns so as to keep possession of them the more easily.

The princes who have done great things are the ones who have taken little account of their promises.

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.

All the armed prophets conquered; all the unarmed ones perished.

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