"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."

"There are three kinds of intellect: one which comprehends by itself; another that discerns what another comprehends; and a third which comprehends neither by itself nor by the showing of another."

"If a prince wants to maintain his rule, he must learn how not to be virtuous, and to make use of this or not, according to need."

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

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