....nothing is so unhealthy or unstable as the reputation for power that is not based on one's own power.

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.

My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved.

And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame.

Men are more ready to offend one who desires to be beloved than one who wishes to be feared.