Delusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

It is much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.

A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity.

The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.

One should never risk one's whole fortune unless supported by one's entire forces.