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

For whoever conquers a free Town, and does not demolish it, commits a great Error, and may expect to be ruin 'd himself.

A battle that you win cancels any other bad action of yours. In the same way, by losing one, all the good things worked by you before become vain.

Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies.

A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy; that is, when he declares himself on the side of one prince against another without any reservation.

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.