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

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

Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies.

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

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well, they are yours. They would shed their blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their children, so long, as I said above, as danger is remote; but when you are in danger they turn against you.

For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.