A prince who is not himself wise cannot be wisely advised. . . . Good advice depends on the shrewdness of the prince who seeks it, and not the shrewdness of the prince on good advice.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

God and nature have thrown all human fortunes into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine than by industry, by wicked actions rather than by good. Hence it is that men feed upon each other, and those who cannot defend themselves must be worried.

In our own days we have seen no princes accomplish great results save those who have been accounted miserly.

If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.

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