Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.

One should never permit a disorder to persist in order to avoid a war, for wars cannot be avoided and can only be deferred to the advantage of others.

It has always been the opinion and judgment of wise men that nothing can be so uncertain as fame or power not founded on its own strength.

The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.

Men are always wicked at bottom unless they are made good by some compulsion.

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

When you disarm your subjects, however, you offend them by showing that either from cowardliness or lack of faith, you distrust them; and either conclusion will induce them to hate you.