Deception is the knowledge of kings.

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

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.

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

Reason must be the universal rule and guide; all things must be done according to reason without allowing oneself to be swayed by emotion.

Nothing so upholds the laws as the punishment of persons whose rank is as great as their crime.

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