I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself.

No one should therefore fear that he cannot accomplish what others have accomplished, for, men are born, live, and die in quite the same way they always have.

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.

Therefore, a prudent ruler ought not to keep faith when by so doing it would be against his interest, and when the reasons which made him bind himself no longer exist. If men were all good, this precept would not be a good one; but as they are bad, and would not observe their faith with you, so you are not bound to keep faith with them.

All the armed prophets conquered; all the unarmed ones perished.

Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.

One should never fall in the belief that you can find someone to pick you up.