A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words toward anyone, for neither diminishes the strength of the enemy.

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

The ends justifies the means.

A wise ruler should rely on what is under his own control, not on what is under the control of others.