"Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries—for heavy ones they cannot."

"The innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new."

"If a prince wants to keep his state, he must learn how to be not good, and to use or not use this according to the necessity."

"Men are always more easily deceived when they are trying to deceive others."

"For where the fear of God is wanting, it is inevitable that the kingdom will come to ruin, or that it will be sustained by the fear of a prince, which will supply the want of religion."