To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.
So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.
And if such malignity is hidden for a time, it proceeds from the unknown reason that would not be known because the experience of the contrary had not been seen, but time, which is said to be the father of every truth, will cause it to be discovered.
I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking.
Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.
When settling disputes between his subjects, he should ensure that his judgement is irrevocable; and he should be so regarded that no one ever dreams of trying to deceive or trick him.
The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.
When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor...
Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.
He who builds on the people, builds on the mud.
The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people.
Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.
Is it better to be loved or feared?
My view is that it is desirable to be both loved and feared; but it is difficult to achieve both and, if one of them has to be lacking, it is much safer to be feared than loved.
And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame.
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.
The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.
For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying.
One should never fall in the belief that you can find someone to pick you up.
A prince is also esteemed when he is a true friend and a true enemy.