Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.

For it must be noted, that men must either be caressed or else annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but cannot do so for great ones; the injury therefore that we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

For government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to do [it] harm.

Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

So far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should know how to follow evil.