"A prince must be a fox, to know how to avoid snares; and a lion, to terrify wolves."

"It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather."

"And it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order…"

"It is much more difficult to injure one who is loved than one who is hated."

"The injury that is to be done to a man must be such that one need not fear his revenge."