Machiavelli

In an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.

If the chief party whether it be the people or the army or the nobility which you think most useful and of most consequence to you for the conservation of your dignity be corrupt you must follow their humor and indulge them and in that case honesty and virtue are pernicious.

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes but few have the gift of penetration.

An unavoidable war is called justice. When brutality is the only option left it is holy