“Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.”
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Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.
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.
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.