To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.
Niccolo MachiavelliHe who has once begun to live by rapine always finds reasons for taking what is not his.
Niccolo MachiavelliWhoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.
Niccolo MachiavelliThere is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.
Niccolo MachiavelliFrom the latter he is defended by being well armed and having good allies, and if he is well armed he will have good friends, and affairs will always remain quiet within when they are quiet without, unless they should have been already disturbed by conspiracy; and even should affairs outside be disturbed, if he has carried out his preparations and has lived as I have said, as long as he does not despair, he will resist every attack.
Niccolo MachiavelliIt ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.
Niccolo Machiavelli