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.

(A ruler) cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interests or when the reason he pledged it no longer holds.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.

He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows.

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.

When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and reward.