It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.

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

Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.

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

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

Is it better to be loved or feared?

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

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.

Armour belonging to someone else either chops off you or weighs you down or is too tight

A prince need take little account of conspiracies if the people are disposed in his favor.

Only a fool believes that his actions don't shape the world.

I have no other but a woman's reason. I think him so because I think him so.

I don't recall having any self-awareness about the intricacy of my stories.

True life is elsewhere

If I lose, then I have to accept that my way of writing books is not the way society says it's okay to write.

There are not many original shapes or silhouettes -- only a million variations.

I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.

I got on the high school speech team and everyday I would get up in front of the class and just start talking.

Nothing is the shadow of Everything.

Copying or imitation is the highest form of flattery.