In respect to foresight and firmness, the people are more prudent, more stable, and have better judgement than princes.

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

The forces of adversaries are more diminished by the loss of those who flee than of those who are killed.

For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good manners that law may be maintained.

A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.

When they remain in garrison, soldiers are maintained with fear and punishment; when they are then led to war, with hope and reward.

I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men to abstain from threats and insulting words toward anyone, for neither diminishes the strength of the enemy.