Machiavelli's reflection upon the failure of Cesare Borgia and the success of Julian II - after he has traveled with the pope (and army, choir, and 27 cardinals) Maybe the end of the first act:
Therefore I conclude that when Fortune changes and men rigidly continue in their ways, they will flourish so long as Fortune and their ways are in accord, but they will come to ruin the moment these are in discord. In my view, however, it is better to be impetuous than cautious, because Fortune is a woman and if you wish to dominate her you must beat and batter her. It is clear thatshe will let herself be won by men who are impetuous rather than those who are cautious. Therefore, like a woman, she is partial to young men, because they are less cautious, wilder and command her with greater audacity.
Io iudico bene questo, che sia meglio essere impetuoso che respettivo, perchè la fortuna è donna; et è necessario, volendola tenere sotto, batterla et urtarla. E si vede che la si lascia piu vincere da questi, che da quelli che freddamente procedono. E pero sempre, come donna, è amica de' giovani, perche sono meno respettivi, piu feroci, e con piu audacia la comandano.
The Prince (End of Chapter 25) As you see, the Italian is fiercer than the English here.
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