 No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. |
| The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all. |
| Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. |
| Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces. |
| Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. |
| It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver. |
| A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests. |
| One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived. |
| Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society. |
| Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. |
| When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred. |
| The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. |
| Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked. |
| 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. |
| God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us. |
| A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example. |
| Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot. |
| One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. |
| Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. |
| Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better. |
