Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.

He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation.

It is a foolish prince who entrusts the safety of his lands to hired men.

Although deceit is detestable in all other things, yet in the conduct of war it is laudable and honorable; and a commander who vanquishes an enemy by stratagem is equally praised with one who gains victory by force.

It is often found that modesty and humility not only do no good, but are positively hurtful, when they are shown to the arrogant who have taken up a prejudice against you, either from envy or from any other cause.

....those who become princes through their skill acquire the pricipality with difficulty, buy they hold onto it with ease.

Men seldom rise from low condition to high rank without employing either force or fraud, unless that rank should be attained either by gift or inheritance.