"Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others."

"A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought… but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands."

"The best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses, they will not save you if you are hated by the people."

"To conquer, one must have the spirit of a lion and the cunning of a fox."

"The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves."