You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his mediocrity prevents him from being a threat to others. And for this reason a democracy is never governed by the most competent, but rather by those whose insignificance will not jeopardize anyone else's self-esteem.

....those who become princes through their skill acquire the pricipality with difficulty, buy they hold onto it with ease.

One man should not be afraid of improving his posessions, lest they be taken away from him, or another deterred by high taxes from starting a new business. Rather, the Prince should be ready to reward men who want to do these things and those who endeavour in any way to increase the prosperity of their city or their state.

Nothing feeds upon itself as liberality does.

So far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should know how to follow evil.

One must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten wolves

The world has always been the same; and there is always as much good fortune as bad in it.