...no one should marvel at the ease with which Alexander [the Great] kept possession of Asia, or at the difficulties which others, like Pyrrhic and many more, had in preserving their conquests. The difference does not arise from the greater or lesser ability of the conqueror, but from dissimilarities in the conquered lands.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

... one would like to be both [loved and feared], but as it is difficult to combine both love and fear, if one has to choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved

— Niccolò Machiavelli

... On the whole, the best fortress you can have, is in not being hated by your subjects. If they hate you no fortress will save you...

— Niccolò Machiavelli

People should either be caressed or crushed. If you do them minor damage they will get their revenge; but if you cripple them there is nothing they can do. If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

... Physicians tell us of hectic fever, that in its beginning it is easy to cure, but hard to recognize; whereas, after a time, not having been detected and treated at the first, it becomes easy to recognize but impossible to cure. And so it is with State affairs.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

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

— Niccolò Machiavelli

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

Therefore, a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need of the state and of him, and then he will always find them faithful.

— Niccolò Machiavelli

Therefore, it is unnecessary for a prince to have all the good qualities I have enumerated, but it is very necessary to appear to have them. And I shall dare to say this also, that to have them and always to observe them is injurious, and that to appear to have them is useful; to appear merciful, faithful, humane, religious, upright, and to be so, but with a mind so framed that should you require not to be so, you may be able and know how to change to the opposite.

— Niccolò Machiavelli