To Know How To Disguise Is The

Not The Least Of The Qualities That Go Into The Making Of A Great Ruler Is The Ability Of Letting Others Serve Him.

To Mislead A Rival, Deception Is Permissable; One May Use All Means Against His Enemies.

Harshness Towards Individuals Who Flout The Laws And Commands Of The State Is For The Public Good; No Greater Crime Against The Public Interest Is Possible Than To Show Leniency To Those Who Violate It.

One Must Believe Neither The People Of The Palace, Who Ordinarily Measure The Power Of The King By The Shape Of His Crown, Which, Being Round, Has No End, Nor Those Who, In The Excesses Of An Indiscreet Zeal, Proclaim Themselves Openly As Partisans Of Rome.

Nothing Is As Dangerous For The State As Those Who Would Govern Kingdoms With Maxims Found In Books.