It is often found that modesty and humility not only do no good, but are positively hurtful, when they are shown to the arrogant who have taken up a prejudice against you, either from envy or from any other cause.

Change has no constituency.

Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent man and revered by his people, he can only be attacked with difficulty.

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

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.