If the course of human affairs be considered, it will be seen that many things arise against which heaven does not allow us to guard.

In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

How we live is so different from how we ought to live that he who studies what ought to be done rather than what is done will learn the way to his downfall rather than to his preservation.

Is it better to be loved or feared?

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.

It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope.