To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

There are three kinds of brains: One understands of itself, another can be taught to understand, and the third can neither understand to itself or be taught to understand.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince, who wishes to maintain himself, to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it according to the necessity of the case.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.