Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent, so that if he does not attain to their greatness, at any rate he will get some tinge of it.

The one who adapts his policy to the times prospers, and likewise that the one whose policy clashes with the demands of the times does not.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.

Then also pretexts for seizing property are never wanting, and one who begins to live by rapine will always find some reason for taking the goods of others, whereas causes for taking life are rarer and more quickly destroyed.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.