Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.

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.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.

The people resemble a wild beast, which, naturally fierce and accustomed to live in the woods, has been brought up, as it were, in a prison and in servitude, and having by accident got its liberty, not being accustomed to search for its food, and not knowing where to conceal itself, easily becomes the prey of the first who seeks to incarcerate it again.