"A prince, therefore, being compelled knowingly to adopt the beast, ought to choose the fox and the lion; because the lion cannot defend himself against snares and the fox cannot defend himself against…"

"Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions."

"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."

"Men are by nature much more inclined to evil than to good; and therefore, if you would have the good, you must put them under the necessity of being so."

"I say that there are three kinds of brains: one that understands things by itself, one that can appreciate what others understand, and one that understands neither by itself nor through others."