The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.

Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.

A battle that you win cancels all your mistakes.

If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.

For titles do not reflect honor on men, but rather men on their titles.

Therefore it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them. And I shall dare to say this also, that to have them and always to observe them is injurious, and that to appear to have them is useful; to appear merciful, faithful, humane, religious, upright, and to be so, but with a mind so framed that should you require not to be so, you may be able and know how to change to the opposite.