In order not to annul our free will, I judge it true that Fortune may be mistress of one half our actions but then even she leaves the other half, or almost, under our control.

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

No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.

Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality; for how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather bring about his own ruin than his preservation.

One must consider the final result

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate he will get some tinge of it.

Nothing feeds upon itself as liberality does.