The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.

It is necessary that the prince should know how to color his nature well, and how to be a hypocrite and dissembler. For men are so simple, and yield so much to immediate necessity, that the deceiver will never lack dupes.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

Wise men say, and not without reason, that whosoever wished to foresee the future might consult the past.

The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.

A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.