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

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.

Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

Delusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

One should never allow chaos to develop in order to avoid going to war, because one does not avoid a war but instead puts it off to his disadvantage

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.