Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony

But in Republics there is a stronger vitality, a fiercer hatred, a keener thirst for revenge. The memory of their former freedom will not let them rest; so that the safest course is either to destroy them, or to go and live in them.

To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done learns the way to self-destruction rather than self-preservation.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

The peasant wants only to be left alone to prosper in peace.

Before all else, be armed.