He should strive to acquire the qualities of the fox and of the lion, in order that he may both avoid snares and guard himself from wolves.

A prudent prince cannot and must not keep faith, when it is harmful to do so, or when the occasion under which he promised has passed by.

He will always find colorable pretexts for breaking his word; and if he learns well how to feign, he will have but little difficulty in deceiving people.

Among the innumerable instances of successful hypocrites Machiavelli can think of none more excellent than Alexander VI.

'He never did anything else but deceive men, nor ever thought of anything but this, and always found apt matter for his practice.