Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.

Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

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

Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

The unarmed man is not just defenseless - he is also contemptible.

There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.