He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

For, besides what has been said, it should be borne in mind that the temper of the multitude is fickle, and that while it is easy to persuade them of a thing, it is hard to fix them in that persuasion

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.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying