Wise men say, and not without reason, that whosoever wished to foresee the future might consult the past.

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

Nothing feeds upon itself as liberality does.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.