Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries – for heavy ones they cannot. – Niccolo Machiavelli
There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. – Niccolo Machiavelli
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. – Niccolo Machiavelli
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration. – Niccolo Machiavelli