1. Adages from Chapters 1 & 2
People do not feel the need for change in a steady, traditional state.
In an unsteady state, one innovation follows another in an attempt to steady the state.
Heredity monarchies are easy to maintain.

2. Adages from Chapter 3 When taking over:
Men change their masters willingly, hoping to improve their general situation.
Whoever gives away power brings about his own ruin.
When taking over:
Live in the place
Set up colonies
If you are going to hurt, be swift and severe
Weaken strong neighbors
Befriend weak neighbors
Let no powerful people come in

3. Adages from Chapters 4 and 5
There are two forms of government:
A prince and servants - hard to conquer and easy to keep because servants are not accustomed to power.
A prince and barons - easy to conquer but hard to keep because the barons are used to power and want to keep it.
Chapter 5
Once a people have tasted freedom they will never forget it. Time will not make them forget it. No benefits will make them forget it. You must either
Demolish them, or
Live with them, or
Allow them to be free and pay tribute to the prince.

4. Adages from Chapter 6
A smart man follows the path used by a great man. In other words, STUDY HISTORY.
Fortune (luck) is useless without ability.

5. Adages from 7 and 8 Chapter 7
It is a mistake to believe that new benefits can cause old injuries to be forgotten.
Chapter 8
Cruelty for the state is good, but cruelty for private interest or entertainment is bad.
Hurt hard and punish all at once. Do not drag it on.
Reward and benefit little by little.

6. Adages from Chapters 9 and 10
Men are weak; they cannot be trusted.
Chapter 10
People feel obligated for benefits that they receive.

7. Adages from Chapter 11
People do not need ability or fortune when running an ecclesiastical state (a government run by a religious organization).

8. Adages from Chapters 12-14
The chief foundation of all states are good laws and good arms.
Mercenaries are useless. Auxiliary armies are unreliable because they owe allegiance to their own prince.
In peace time, pay attention to the military even more than wartime.

9. Adages from Chapters 15 & 16
Look at things as how they are, not as how they should be.
Ethics should remain outside of politics.
The qualities of a good prince cannot be defined; they must fit the situation.
A prince must be able to evaluate a situation and adapt.
When taking over a country it is better to be liberal when spending money. Spend money and promise to spend more money.
In running your country it is better to be niggardly (miserly) because then money will always be available for emergencies.

10. Adages from Chapter 17 -18 Chapter 17
Better to be feared and loved, (like a parent) but if you cannot be both, it is better to be feared.
It is important not to be hated. A prince can be feared without being hated.
Man is wicked; fear of punishment keeps him in line.
Chapter 18
Man is simple-minded and easily fooled. It is important to be a good liar.
A prince does not need to have great qualities; he only has to seem to have them.

11. Adages from Chapters 19-20 Avoid being hated.
Good arms will bring you good friends.
Chapter 20
The best fortress a prince can have is not being hated. If people love and fear their prince, they will fight for him.

12. Adages from Chapters 21 - 22 Chapter 21
To build high esteem, a prince needs:
an energetic foreign policy
great internal policies
to reward and punish appropriately
to be a friend or an enemy
Don’t be neutral: choosing a side is a win-win situation.
Chapter 22
Don’t join forces with someone more powerful than yourself.
A man is judged by the company he keeps.
A good minister works to the advantage of his prince, not himself.
Reward good ministers extensively so they will support you.

13. Adages from 23-25
Chapter 23
A prince ought to take counsel, but only when he wishes, not when others wish.
A prince ought to be a great asker, and a patient hearer of truth
Chapter 24
A prince must rely upon himself.
Chapter 25
It is better to be impetuous than to be cautious because a cautious prince misses opportunities.
Timing is everything.
A prince who bases himself entirely on fortune is ruined when fortune changes.