He who has annexed them, if he wishes to hold them, has only to bear in mind two considerations: the one, that the family of their former lord is extinguished; the other, that neither their laws nor their taxes are altered, so that in a very short time they will become entirely one body with the old principality.

In order not to annul our free will, I judge it true that Fortune may be mistress of one half our actions but then even she leaves the other half, or almost, under our control.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands.

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

There is nothing more important than appearing to be religious.

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.