Men walk almost always in the paths trodden by others, proceeding in their actions by imitation.

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate he will get some tinge of it.

And if, to be sure, sometimes you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defense.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

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.

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not to suffer.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.