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.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

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

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

Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.

Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.

It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler. For men are so simple, and yield so much to immediate necessity, that the deceiver will never lack dupes.