It is easier to rule others than to keep from being ruled oneself.

In great affairs we ought to apply ourselves less to creating chances than to profiting from those that offer.

There are two sorts of constancy in love one arises from continually discovering in the loved person new subjects for love, the other arises from our making a merit of being constant.

Moderation is a fear of falling into that envy and contempt which those who grow giddy with their good fortune quite justly draw upon themselves. It is a vain boasting of the greatness of our mind.

The fame of great men ought to be judged always by their big, fancy names.

To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.

There are few virtuous women who are not bored with their trade.