The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox.

Never do an enemy a small injury.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.

Before all else, be armed.

They have not any difficulties on the way up because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.

For a prince should have two fears: one, internal concerning his subjects; the other, external, concerning foreign powers. From the latter he can always defend himself by his good troops and friends; and he will always have good friends if he has good troops.

Change has no constituency.