He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

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.

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.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.