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.

People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.

It is a foolish prince who entrusts the safety of his lands to hired men.

The world has always been the same; and there is always as much good fortune as bad in it.

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.

Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.