There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.