We fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose.

He is less likely to be mistaken who looks forward to a change in the affairs of the world than he who regards them as firm and stable.

The return we reap from generous actions is not always evident.

It is a great matter to be in authority over others; for authority, if it be rightly used, will make you feared beyond your actual resources.

Even though many people prove to be ungrateful, do not let that stop you from benefiting others-for not only is beneficence in itself a noble and almost divine quality, it may also happen that while you practice it, you will encounter someone so grateful that he will make up for all the others' ingratitude.

Ambassadors are the eye and ear of states.

If you attempt certain things at the right time, they are easy to accomplish - in fact, they almost get done by themselves. If you undertake them before the time is right, not only will they fail, but they will often become impossible to accomplish even when the time would have been right.