The Prince

by Niccolò Machiavelli

Nevertheless, he who has relied least on fortune is established the strongest.

Hence it is that all armed prophets have conquered, and the unarmed ones have been destroyed.

He who believes that new benefits will cause great personages to forget old injuries is deceived.

No one ever forgets

For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

for a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.

Therefore it is wiser to have a reputation for meanness which brings reproach without hatred,

Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves.

If men were entirely good this precept would not hold, but because they are bad, and will not keep faith with you, you too are not bound to observe it with them.

and he who has known best how to employ the fox has succeeded best.

he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.