Great armies are nothing but a collection of weakness.

It would not be difficult to be a better ruler than I was: for I admit that I ruled badly; and even if I was fortunate enough to satisfy my subjects, I was not fortunate enough to satisfy myself.

Other things titillate me more keenly than the pale pleasures of marriage.

There are few prisoners more closely guarded than princes.

It is quite as ignominious to allow oneself to be deceived as to deceive.

We grow old more through indolence, than through age.

Every man is his own worst enemy