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.

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.

Though fraud in all other actions be odious, yet in matters of war it is laudable and glorious, and he who overcomes his enemies by stratagem is as much to be praised as he who overcomes them by force.

For whoever conquers a free Town, and does not demolish it, commits a great Error, and may expect to be ruin 'd himself.

....nothing is so unhealthy or unstable as the reputation for power that is not based on one's own power.

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.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.