Men may second fortune, but they cannot thwart her.

All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.

For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.

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

No one should therefore fear that he cannot accomplish what others have accomplished, for, men are born, live, and die in quite the same way they always have.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

To know well the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to know well the nature of princes one must be of the people.