It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.

For without invention, no one was ever a great man in his own trade.

A multitude is strong while it holds together, but so soon as each of those who compose it begins ro think of his own private danger, it becomes weak and contemptible.

One should never permit a disorder to persist in order to avoid a war, for wars cannot be avoided and can only be deferred to the advantage of others.

....those who become princes through their skill acquire the pricipality with difficulty, buy they hold onto it with ease.

Impetuosity and audacity often achieve what ordinary means fail to achieve.

And here one must not that hatred is acquired just as much by means of good actions as by bad ones; and so, as I said above, if a prince wishes to maintain the state, he is often obliged not to be good; because whenever that group which you believe you need to support you is corrupted, whether it be the common people, the soldiers, or the nobles, it is to your advantage to follow their inclinations in order to satisfy them; and then good actions are your enemy.