Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.
A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.
Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed ought drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more.
Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
For among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible; which is one of those disgraceful things which a prince must guard against.
The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred.
No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.
There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.
It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.
Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.
