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

Change has no constituency.

Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies.

In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

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

Those who either from imprudence or want of sagacity avoid doing so, are always overwhelmed with servitude and poverty; for faithful servants are always servants, and honest men are always poor; nor do any ever escape from servitude but the bold and faithless, or from poverty, but the rapacious and fraudulent.

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.