Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy; that is, when he declares himself on the side of one prince against another without any reservation.

A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself in times of adversity so that when fortune abandons him he may be prepared to resist her blows.

Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.

....those who become princes through their skill acquire the pricipality with difficulty, buy they hold onto it with ease.

Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves

For it must be noted, that men must either be caressed or else annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but cannot do so for great ones; the injury therefore that we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance.