One must believe neither the people of the palace, who ordinarily measure the power of the king by the shape of his crown, which, being round, has no end, nor those who, in the excesses of an indiscreet zeal, proclaim themselves openly as partisans of Rome.

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

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

War is one of the scourges with which it has pleased God to afflict men.

Did you think I was immortal?

Who will be my equal?

Carry on any enterprise as if all future success depended on it.