A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself in times of adversity so that when fortune abandons him he may be prepared to resist her blows.

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

He who builds on the people, builds on the mud

Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

And above all you ought to guard against leading an army to fight which is afraid or which is not confident of victory. For the greatest sign of an impending loss is when one does not believe one can win.

A wise prince then...should never be idle in times of peace but should industriously lay up stores of which to avail himself in times of adversity so that when fortune abandons him he may be prepared to resist her blows.