"Men are generally so simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived."

"A prince must have no other object, no other thought, nor take anything else for his art, but war and its orders and discipline; for this is the only art that belongs to him who rules."

"He who builds on the people, builds on mud."

"Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them, they take vengeance, whereas if you wound them incurably, they are unable to do so."

"It is much safer to be feared than loved."