Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

The leader should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands.