Prudence therefore consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

as the physicians say it happens in hectic fever, that in the beginning of the malady it is easy to cure but difficult to detect, but in the course of time, not having been either detected or treated in the beginning, it becomes easy to detect but difficult to cure

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

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

He who would foresee what is to happen should look to what has happened: for all that is has its counterpart in time past.

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.