Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.

...it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune.

Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.

The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul.

The prince who relies upon their words, without having otherwise provided for his security, is ruined; for friendships that are won by awards, and not by greatness and nobility of soul, although deserved, yet are not real, and cannot be depended upon in time of adversity.

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.