There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
With difficulty he is beaten who can estimate his own forces and those of his enemy.
....those who become princes through their skill acquire the pricipality with difficulty, buy they hold onto it with ease.
Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.
In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine authority, as otherwise his laws would not have been accepted by the people; for there are many good laws, the importance of which is known to be the sagacious lawgiver, but the reasons for which are not sufficiently evident to enable him to persuade others to submit to them; and therefore do wise men, for the purpose of removing this difficulty, resort to divine authority.
They have not any difficulties on the way up because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.
Men are always averse to enterprises in which they foresee difficulties.
That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided it is well known that he is an excellent man and revered by his people, he can only be attacked with difficulty.
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