Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Hence a prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires.

Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many.

Present wars impoverish the lords that win as much as those that lose.

The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

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 much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.