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.

Rome remained free for four hundred years and Sparta eight hundred, although their citizens were armed all that time; but many other states that have been disarmed have lost their liberties in less than forty years.

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.

Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

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

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss.