Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.

Men are always wicked at bottom unless they are made good by some compulsion.

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.

I desire to go to Hell and not to Heaven. In the former I shall enjoy the company of popes, kings and princes, while in the latter are only beggars, monks and apostles

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