A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.

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.

Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage.

Politics have no relation to morals.

Women are the most charitable creatures, and the most troublesome. He who shuns women passes up the trouble, but also the benefits. He who puts up with them gains the benefits, but also the trouble. As the saying goes, there's no honey without bees.

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.