It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

....for friendships that are acquired by a price and not by greatness and nobility of character are purchased but are not owned, and at the proper moment they cannot be spent.

Knowing how to fight made men more bold, because no one fears doing what it seems to him he has learned to do. Therefore, the ancients wanted their citizens to be trained in every warlike action.

A blast in the human breast is nothing to boast of.

A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince, who wishes to maintain himself, to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it according to the necessity of the case.

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

The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.