My star was fading, I felt the reins slipping out of my grasp, and could do nothing to stop it.

Adversity is the midwife of genius

All religions have been made by men.

To imagine that it is possible to perform great military deeds without fighting is just empty dreams.

Ambition never is in a greater hurry that I; it merely keeps pace with circumstances and with my general way of thinking.

Machiavelli is right: one always must live with one's friends with the idea that they may turn into one's enemies. He should have said, with everyone.

My success and everything good that I have done, I owe to my mother.