The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

The reformer has enemies in all who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order.

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.

It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.

The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.

The leader should know how to enter into evil when necessity commands.