Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered.

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate he will get some tinge of it.

It makes him contemptible to be considered fickle, frivolous, effeminate, mean-spirited, irresolute, from all of which a prince should guard himself as from a rock; and he should endeavour to show in his actions greatness, courage, gravity, and fortitude; and in his private dealings with his subjects let him show that his judgments are irrevocable, and maintain himself in such reputation that no one can hope either to deceive him or to get round him.

There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.

Men are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.