There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.

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

It is better to be bold than too circumspect, because fortune is of a sex which likes not a tardy wooer and repulses all who are not ardent.

In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity, reascend; and thus from good they gradually decline to evil, and from evil again return to good. The reason is, that valor produces peace; peace, repose; repose, disorder; disorder, ruin; so from disorder order springs; from order virtue, and from this, glory and good fortune.