So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

You must know, then, that there are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts; but as the first method is often insufficient, one must have recourse to the second.

Impetuosity and audacity often achieve what ordinary means fail to achieve.

Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

In truth, there never was any remarkable lawgiver amongst any people who did not resort to divine authority, as otherwise his laws would not have been accepted by the people; for there are many good laws, the importance of which is known to be the sagacious lawgiver, but the reasons for which are not sufficiently evident to enable him to persuade others to submit to them; and therefore do wise men, for the purpose of removing this difficulty, resort to divine authority.