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

They have not any difficulties on the way up because they fly, but they have many when they reach the summit.

The peasant wants only to be left alone to prosper in peace.

Fear is secured by a dread of punishment.

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

As the observance of divine institutions is the cause of the greatness of republics, so the disregard of them produces their ruin; for where the fear of God is wanting, there the country will come to ruin, unless it be sustained the fear of the prince, which temporarily supply the want of religion.

Power is the pivot on which everything hinges. He who has the power is always right; the weaker is always wrong.