The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don’t just go away, they are only postponed to someone else’s advantage.

More from Niccolò Machiavelli

• A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent.
• In judging policies we should consider the results that have been achieved through them rather than the means by which they have been executed.
• Occasionally words must serve to veil the facts. But let this happen in such a way that no one become aware of it; or, if it should be noticed, excuses must be at hand to be produced immediately.