There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.

Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.

We must bear in mind, then, that there is nothing more difficult and dangerous, or more doubtful of success, than an attempt to introduce a new order of things in any state. For the innovator has for enemies all those who derived advantages from the old order of things, whilst those who expect to be benefited by the new institutions will be but lukewarm defenders.

And it will always happen that he who is not your friend will request your neutrality and he who is your friend will ask you to declare yourself by taking up arms. And irresolute princes, in order to avoid present dangers, follow the neutral road most of the time, and most of the time they are ruined.

Any harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.

There is nothing that Nature seems to have inclined us to as much as society.

Human beings remain constant in their methods of conduct.