“ No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution. ”

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

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

“ A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds. ”

“ Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot. ”

“ It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope. ”

“ Politics have no relation to morals. ”

“ Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society. ”