"

These opportunities, then, gave these men the chance they needed, and their great abilities made them recognize it.

"

It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the ...more

"

Those who believe that where great personages are concerned new favors cause old injuries to be forgotten deceive themselves.

"

Without an opportunity, their abilities would have been wasted, and without their abilities, the opportunity would have arisen in vain.

"

Men in general are as much affected by what a thing appears to be as by what it is, indeed they are frequently influenced more by appearances than by ...more

"

...no one should marvel at the ease with which Alexander [the Great] kept possession of Asia, or at the difficulties which others, like Pyrrhus and ma...more

"

Considering thus how much honor is awarded to antiquity, and how many times—letting pass infinite other examples—a fragment of an ancient statue has b...more

"

... When Princes devote themselves rather to pleasure than to arms, they lose their dominions.

"

... War is the sole art looked for in one who rules...

"

Armour belonging to someone else either chops off you or weighs you down or is too tight

"

Men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore th...more

"

... By disarming, you at once give offense, since you show your subjects that you distrust them, either as doubting their courage, or as doubting thei...more

"

... Physicians tell us of hectic fever, that in its beginning it is easy to cure, but hard to recognize; whereas, after a time, not having been detect...more

"

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

"

Again, a Prince should show himself a patron of merit, and should honour those who excel in every art. He ought accordingly to encourage his subjects ...more