Without doubt, ferocious and disordered men are much weaker than timid and ordered ones. For order chases fear from men and disorder lessens ferocity.

it is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.

Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed.

In the armies and among every ten men there is one of more life, of more heart, or at least of more authority, who with his courage, with words and by example keeps the others firm and disposed to fight.

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

When neither their property nor their honor is touched, the majority of men live content.

It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.