That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent man and revered by his people, he can only be attacked with difficulty.

Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.

....for friendships that are acquired by a price and not by greatness and nobility of character are purchased but are not owned, and at the proper moment they cannot be spent.

....nothing is so unhealthy or unstable as the reputation for power that is not based on one's own power.

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

It is much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.