Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

I am firmly convinced, therefore, that to set up a republic which is to last a long time, the way to set about it is to constitute it as Sparta and Venice were constituted; to place it in a strong position, and so to fortify it that no one will dream of taking it by a sudden assault; and, on the other hand, not to make it so large as to appear formidable to its neighbors. It should in this way be able to enjoy its form of government for a long time. For war is made on a commonwealth for two reasons: to subjugate it, and for fear of being subjugated by it.

God creates men, but they choose each other.

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.

A wise man will see to it that his acts always seem voluntary and not done by compulsion, however much he may be compelled by necessity.