For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed

Necessities can be many, but the one that is stronger is that which constrains you to win or to die.

Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger.

Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them.

There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society.

One never finds anything perfectly pure and ... exempt from danger.