A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank. And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more of ease than of arms they have lost their states. And the first cause of your losing it is to neglect this art; and what enables you to acquire a state is to be master of the art.

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

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.

The world has always been the same; and there is always as much good fortune as bad in it.

Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.

Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.