When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor.

....it cannot be called ingenuity to kill one's fellow citizens, to betray friends, to be without faith, without mercy, without religion; by these means one can aquire power but not glory.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

One of the great secrets of the day is to know how to take possession of popular prejudices and passions, in such a way as to introduce a confusion of principles which makes impossible all understanding between those who speak the same language and have the same interests.

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.

Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.