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

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor.

If someone puts up the argument that King Louis gave the Romagna to Pope Alexander, and the kingdom of Naples to Spain, in order to avoid a war, I would answer as I did before: that you should never let things get out of hand in order to avoid war. You don't avoid such a war, you merely postpone it, to your own disadvantage.

One of the great secrets of the day is to know how to take possession of popular prejudices and passions, in such a way as to introduce a confusion of principles which makes impossible all understanding between those who speak the same language and have the same interests.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

There should be many judges, for few will always do the will of few.