Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

How laudable it is for a prince to keep good faith and live with integrity, and not with astuteness, every one knows. Still the experience of our times shows those princes to have done great things who have had little regard for good faith, and have been able by astuteness to confuse men's brains, and who have ultimately overcome those who have made loyalty their foundation.

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

Men are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.

Human beings remain constant in their methods of conduct.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.