A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.

When you disarm your subjects you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you

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.