It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to enslave a people that wants to remain free.

No one should therefore fear that he cannot accomplish what others have accomplished, for, men are born, live, and die in quite the same way they always have.

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

The innovator has for enemies all who have done well under the old, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and live with integrity, and not with astuteness, every one knows. Still the experience of our times shows those princes to have done great things who have had little regard for good faith, and have been able by astuteness to confuse men's brains, and who have ultimately overcome those who have made loyalty their foundation.

Therefore the best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses they will not save you if you are hated by the people.