The wish to acquire is in truth very natural and common, and men always do so when they can.but when they cannot do so, yet wish to do so by any means, then there is folly and blame.

Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.

Any harm you do to a man should be done in such a way that you need not fear his revenge.

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

There is nothing so difficult or so dangerous as to undertake to change the order of things.

Politics have no relation to morals.

God and nature have thrown all human fortunes into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine than by industry, by wicked actions rather than by good. Hence it is that men feed upon each other, and those who cannot defend themselves must be worried.