..it happens in all human affairs that we never seek to escape one mischief without falling into another. Prudence therefore consists in knowing how … - Niccolò Machiavelli

Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage, and in accepting a less evil as a good.

For it must be noted, that men must either be caressed or else annihilated; they will revenge themselves for small injuries, but cannot do so for great ones; the injury therefore that we do to a man must be such that we need not fear his vengeance.

مصوري المناظر الطبيعية ينزلون إلى الوديان ليتمكنوا من رسم الجبال. ثم إنهم يصعدون إلى أماكن مرتفعة حتى يتمكنوا من رؤية السهول والوديان. ولذلك فمن الضروري أن تكون أميرا حتى تعرف طبيعة شعبك, كما أنه يجب أن تكون أحد الرعية أيضا كي تعرف الحقائق المتعلقة بالأمراء.

Princes should devolve on others those matters that entail responsibility, and reserve to themselves those that relate to grace and favour.