Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity.

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

It is much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.

There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.

One can say this in general of men: they are ungrateful, disloyal, insincere and deceitful, timid of danger and avid of profit...Love is a bond of obligation that these miserable creatures break whenever it suits them to do so; but fear holds them fast by a dread of punishment that never passes.