Referencing Literature?

<p>Hey, basically what the title says.</p>

<p>Would it be taboo to include a reference to literature in my college essay?
I'm thinking about Machiavelli's "The Prince" in regard to my leadership qualities.</p>

<p>Also... is using foreign phrases taboo as well? (I know the whole George Orwell thing about it)
It would just be "modus operandi".</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>