Machiavelli — "Politics have no relation to morals."

"There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you."

"It is much safer to be feared than loved because love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves…"

"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."

"He who causes another to become powerful is ruined himself; because that power has been effected by him either by industry or by force, and both of these are suspicious to the one who has been raised …"

"For he who is not strong enough to protect himself must seek protection from others."