A wise prince must never take things easy in times of peace.
It is a great misfortune to be of use to nobody; scarcely less to be of use to everybody.
Do not make mistakes about character. Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods.
Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.
Few are the friends of a mans self, most those of his circumstances.
Do pleasant things yourself, but unpleasant things through others.