It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.
By the delusions of seeming good the people are often misled to desire their own ruin; and they are frequently influenced by great hopes and brave promises.
Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself.
Cruelties should be committed all at once.
For this is the tragedy of man circumstances change, but he does not.
A blast in the human breast is nothing to boast of.
It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.
There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.
A prince need trouble little about conspiracies when the people are well disposed, but when they are hostile and hold him in hatred, then he must fear everything and everybody.
It is much safer for the prince to be feared than loved, but he ought to avoid making himself hated.
How perilous it is to free a people who prefer slavery.
God creates men, but they choose each other.
He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows.
With difficulty he is beaten who can estimate his own forces and those of his enemy.
For as good habits of the people require good laws to support them, so laws, to be observed, need good habits on the part of the people.
Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.
If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.
A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one’s own ignorance.
Men are always wicked at bottom unless they are made good by some compulsion.
Never do your enemy a minor injury.