Besides what has been said, people are fickle by nature; and it is a simple to convince them of something but difficult to hold them in that conviction; and, therefore, affairs should be managed in such a way that when they no longer believe, they can be made to believe by force.

A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.

Occasionally words must serve to veil the facts. But let this happen in such a way that no one become aware of it; or, if it should be noticed, excuses must be at hand to be produced immediately.

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

Results are often obtained by impetuosity and daring which could never have been obtained by ordinary methods.

All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.