The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Still, a prince should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he at any rate avoids hatred; for fear and the absence of hatred may well go together, and will be always attained by one who abstains from interfering with the property of his citizens and subjects or with their women.

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

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.