As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so the disregard of them produces their ruin; for where the fear of God is wanting, there the country will come to ruin, unless it be sustained the fear of the prince, which temporarily supply the want of religion.

The reformer has enemies in all who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order.

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not to suffer.

Men are less hesitant about harming someone who makes himself loved than one who makes himself feared because love is held together by a chain of obligation which, since men are wretched creatures, is broken on every occasion in which their own interests are concerned; but fear is sustained by dread of punishment which will never abandon you.

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.

Men are always wicked at bottom unless they are made good by some compulsion.