Thus it happens in matters of state; for knowing afar off (which it is only given a prudent man to do) the evils that are brewing, they are easily cured. But when, for want of such knowledge, they are allowed to grow so that everyone can recognize them, there is no longer any remedy to be found.

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.

With difficulty he is beaten who can estimate his own forces and those of his enemy.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

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

So in all human affairs one notices, if one examines them closely, that it is impossible to remove one inconvenience without another emerging.

A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.