"One ought never to allow disorders to take their course for the sake of avoiding war, for war is not thereby avoided, but only deferred to your disadvantage."

"The best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses, they will not save you if you are hated by the people."

"He who is not a friend to the new order of things must be an enemy to it."

"It is better to be impetuous than cautious, because Fortune is a woman, and if you wish to control her, it is necessary to beat and ill-use her."

"The promises of men are not to be relied on, unless they are made under such circumstances that the promiser cannot break them without ruin."