Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

Verträge bricht man um des Nutzens willen.

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

… to a Prince who wants to do great things, it is necessary to learn to deceive.

It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.