No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunit… - Niccolò Machiavelli

Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many.

Men will not look at things as they really are, but as they wish them to be - and are ruined

He, therefore, who acquires such a State, if he mean to keep it, must see to two things; first, that the blood of the ancient line of Princes be destroyed; second, that no change be made in respect of laws or taxes; for in this way the newly acquired State speedily becomes incorporated with the hereditary.

There are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, and the third is useless..