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.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

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

Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

The fact is that a man who wants to act virtuously in every way necessarily comes to grief among so many who are not virtuous.

Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.

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

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

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

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.

Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.

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.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.