The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.

One can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and while you work for their good they are completely yours, offering you their blood, their property, their lives, and their sons when danger is far away; but when it comes nearer to you, they turn away.

To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Hence a prince who wants to keep his authority must learn how not to be good, and use that knowledge, or refrain from using it, as necessity requires.

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying