A son could bear with great complacency, the death of his father, while the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.
Niccolo MachiavelliThe more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
Niccolo MachiavelliFor as good habits of the people require good laws to support them, so laws, to be observed, need good habits on the part of the people.
Niccolo MachiavelliNothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered.
Niccolo MachiavelliAn armed republic submits less easily to the rule of one of its citizens than a republic armed by foreign forces. Rome and Sparta were for many centuries well armed and free. The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom. Among other evils caused by being disarmed, it renders you contemptible. It is not reasonable to suppose that one who is armed will obey willingly one who is unarmed; or that any unarmed man will remain safe among armed servants.
Niccolo Machiavelli