Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.

From the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will have good friends, and affairs will always remain quiet within when they are quiet without, unless they should have been already disturbed by conspiracy; and even should affairs outside be disturbed, if he has carried out his preparations and has lived as I have said, as long as he does not despair, he will resist every attack.

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

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss.

The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox.

Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.