In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine authority, as otherwise his laws would not have been accepted by the people; for there are many good laws, the importance of which is known to be the sagacious lawgiver, but the reasons for which are not sufficiently evident to enable him to persuade others to submit to them; and therefore do wise men, for the purpose of removing this difficulty, resort to divine authority.

It is often found that modesty and humility not only do no good, but are positively hurtful, when they are shown to the arrogant who have taken up a prejudice against you, either from envy or from any other cause.

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.

A battle that you win cancels any other bad action of yours. In the same way, by losing one, all the good things worked by you before become vain.

A battle that you win cancels all your mistakes.

Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better able to meet emergencies.

So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.