This book is a collection of 180 fundamental quotes and aphorisms of Niccolo Machiavelli: "The ends justify the means." " "History is written by the victors." "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both." "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." "Men must either be caressed or else destroyed." "War is not so to be avoided, but is only deferred to your disadvantage." "But above all he must refrain from seizing the property of others, because a man is quicker to forget the death of his father than the loss of his patrimony." "The first way to lose a state is to neglect the art of war; the first way to gain a state is to be skilled in the art of war." "Therefore the best fortress is to be found in the love of the people, for although you may have fortresses they will not save you if you are hated by the people." "A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways." "A man who wishes to profess at all times will come to ruin among so many who are not good."