The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.
Niccolo MachiavelliAny harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.
Niccolo MachiavelliAnd if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defense.
Niccolo Machiavelli