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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.
War is just when it is necessary arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
There is no avoiding war it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.
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.
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.
Politics have no relation to morals.
Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.
To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.