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It is of the greatest important in this world that a man should know himself, and the measure of his own strength and means; and he who knows that he ...more

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... From want of foresight men make changes which relishing well at first do not betray their hidden venom, as I have already observed respecting hect...more

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... He who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those wh...more

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In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

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Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is need...more

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For no man is found so prudent as to know how to adapt himself to these changes, both because he cannot deviate from the course to which nature inclin...more

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He listened to their opinions, stated his own, and supported them with reasons; and from his being constantly occupied with such meditations, it resul...more

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... Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to live in freedom and does no destroy it, may reckon on being destroyed by it. For if it should rebel...more

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Injuries, therefore, should be inflicted all at once, that their ill savour being less lasting may the less offend; whereas, benefits should be confer...more

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... If instead of colonies you send troops, the cost is vastly greater, and the whole revenues of the country are spent in guarding it so that the gai...more

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He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command

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It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.