Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.

A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself in times of adversity so that when fortune abandons him he may be prepared to resist her blows.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

Never lead your soldiers to battle if you have not first confirmed their spirit and known them to be without fear and ordered; and never test them except when you see that they hope to win.

In our own days we have seen no princes accomplish great results save those who have been accounted miserly.

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.

When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and reward.