One should never despair too soon.
Our work is to present things that are as they are.
If I wished to punish a province, I would have it governed by philosophers.
Little minds try to defend everything at once, but sensible people look at the main point only; they parry the worst blows and stand a little hurt if thereby they avoid a greater one. If you try to hold everything, you hold nothing.
Diplomacy without arms is like a concert without a score
Great advantage is drawn from knowledge of your adversary, and when you know the measure of his intelligence and character, you can use it to play on his weakness.