When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the marjority of men live content.

Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved.

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.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

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

And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defence.

Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.