In our own days we have seen no princes accomplish great results save those who have been accounted miserly.

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.

In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

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.

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.

And when he is obliged to take the life of any one, to do so when there is a proper justification and manifest reason for it; but above all he must abstain from taking the property of others, for men forget more easily the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony.

Hence it comes that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.