A single word has sometimes lost or won an empire.

To mislead a rival, deception is permissable; one may use all means against his enemies.

First, all means to conciliate; failing that, all means to crush.

I do not sleep to let others sleep in the shade of my waking.

Nothing is as dangerous for the state as those who would govern kingdoms with maxims found in books.

Never write a letter and never destroy one.

If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?