In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

A democracy exists whenever those who are free and are not well-off, being in the majority, are in sovereign control of government, an oligarchy when control lies with the rich and better-born, these being few.

For those who possess and can wield arms are in a position to decide whether the constitution is to continue or not

A government which is composed of the middle class more nearly approximates to democracy than to oligarchy, and is the safest of the imperfect forms of government.

Why is it that all men who are outstanding in philosophy, poetry or the arts are melancholic?

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.

We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends behave to us