I hold strongly to this: that it is better to be impetuous than circumspect; because fortune is a woman and if she is to be submissive it is necessary to beat and coerce her.

Men ought either to be well treated, or crushed.

Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it.

Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed.

One must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten wolves

I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.

Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking.