There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society.

A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince, who wishes to maintain himself, to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it according to the necessity of the case.

It is the duty of a man of honor to teach others the good which he has not been able to do himself because of the malignity of the times, that this good finally can be done by another more loved in heaven.

Ability and perseverance are the weapons of weakness.

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.

Results are often obtained by impetuosity and daring which could never have been obtained by ordinary methods.

For a prince should have two fears: one, internal concerning his subjects; the other, external, concerning foreign powers. From the latter he can always defend himself by his good troops and friends; and he will always have good friends if he has good troops.