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

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

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.

Knowing how to fight made men more bold, because no one fears doing what it seems to him he has learned to do. Therefore, the ancients wanted their citizens to be trained in every warlike action.

There are three kinds of brains. The one understands things unassisted, the other understands things when shown by others, the third understands neither alone nor with the explanations of others.

In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

To know well the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to know well the nature of princes one must be of the people.