The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.
A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
Politics have no relation to morals.
One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.
Never was anything great achieved without danger.