Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.

Perfect behavior is born of complete indifference.

Weakness of character is the only defect which cannot be amended.

We often persuade ourselves to love people who are more powerful than we are, yet interest alone produces our friendship; we do not give our hearts away for the good we wish to do, but for that we expect to receive.

When great men permit themselves to be cast down by the continuance of misfortune, they show us that they were only sustained by ambition, and not by their mind; so that PLUS a great vanity, heroes are made like other men.

To praise princes for virtues they do not possess is to insult them without fear of consequences.

Moderation is like sobriety: you would like to have some more, but are afraid of making yourself ill.