For government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to do [it] harm.

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

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms.

Nothing feeds upon itself as liberality does.

the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour.

As all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to whoever arranges to found a Republic and establish laws in it, to presuppose that all men are bad and that they will use their malignity of mind every time they have the opportunity.