Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.

I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.

The leader should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

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.

Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.