(A ruler) cannot and should not keep his word when to do so would go against his interests or when the reason he pledged it no longer holds.

An armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome and Sparta were for many centuries well armed and free. The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom. Among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible. It is not reasonable to suppose that one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.

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

Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.

Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.