Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many.

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.

Good order makes men bold, and confusion, cowards.

It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

An armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome and Sparta were for many centuries well armed and free. The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom. Among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible. It is not reasonable to suppose that one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.

A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.