There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.

The innovator has for enemies all who have done well under the old, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved.

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

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.

I don't doubt that every prince would like to be both; but since it is hard to accomodate these qualities, if you have to make a choice, to be feared is much safer than to be loved. For it is a good general rule about men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, fearful of danger and greedy for gain....[love] is a link of obligation which men, because they are rotten, will break anything they think doing so serves their advantage; but fear involves dread of punishment, from which they can never escape.