Author:
must start with assuming that all men are bad
and ever ready to display their vicious nature,
whenever they may find occasion for it.
A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought,
nor take up any other thing for his study but war
and it organization and discipline,
for that is the only art that is necessary to one who commands.
dissemblers, avoiders of danger and greedy of gain.
in every way necessarily comes to grief
among so many who are not virtuous.
It can only be postponed to the advantage of others.