Of all the passions, fear weakens judgment most.

Where princes are concerned, a man who is able to do good is as dangerous and almost as criminal as a man who intends to do evil.

What is necessary is never a risk.

Great men help dazzle the people; after that, they dazzle themselves even more dangerously.

Nothing sways the stupid more than arguments they can't understand.

When you are obliged to make a statement that you know will cause displeasure, you must say it with every appearance of sincerity; this is the only way to make it palatable.

Timorous minds are much more inclined to deliberate than to resolve.