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.

One should never fall in the belief that you can find someone to pick you up.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

He who becomes a Prince through the favour of the people should always keep on good terms with them; which it is easy for him to do, since all they ask is not to be oppressed

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.