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

One arises from a low to a high station more often by using fraud instead of force.

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not to suffer.

The sinews of war are not gold, but good soldiers; for gold alone will not procure good soldiers, but good soldiers will always procure gold.

He who would foresee what is to happen should look to what has happened: for all that is has its counterpart in time past.