He listened to their opinions, stated his own, and supported them with reasons; and from his being constantly occupied with such meditations, it resu… - Niccolò Machiavelli

For since men for the most part follow in the footsteps and imitate the actions of others, and yet are unable to adhere exactly to those paths which others have taken, or attain to the virtues of those whom they would resemble, the wise man should always follow the roads that have been trodden by the great, and imitate those who have most excelled, so that if he cannot reach their perfection, he may at least acquire something of its savour. Acting in this like the skilful archer, who seeing that the object he would hit is distant, and knowing the range of his bow, takes aim much above the destined mark; not designing that his arrow should strike so high, but that flying high it may alight at the point intended.

إذا كانت الأخطاء لا بد واقعة فيحسن أن تكون دفعة واحدة حتى تكون أقل تأثيراً من وقعات متعددة تبقى آثارها. أما المزايا فيجب ان إعطاؤها للرعايا جرعة جرعة حتى يستمتعوا بها ويشعروا بفائدتها.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.