I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.

A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands.

We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.

One should never fall in the belief that you can find someone to pick you up.

It is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman.

The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.

To be feared is much safer then to be loved.