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.

By the delusions of seeming good the people are often misled to desire their own ruin; and they are frequently influenced by great hopes and brave promises.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

One can say this in general of men: they are ungrateful, disloyal, insincere and deceitful, timid of danger and avid of profit...Love is a bond of obligation that these miserable creatures break whenever it suits them to do so; but fear holds them fast by a dread of punishment that never passes.

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

Nothing feeds upon itself as liberality does.

One should never risk one's whole fortune unless supported by one's entire forces.