He who would foresee what is to happen should look to what has happened: for all that is has its counterpart in time past.

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.

No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss.

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