He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building.

Men are always wicked at bottom unless they are made good by some compulsion.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

So long as the great majority of men are not deprived of either property or honor, they are satisfied.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.

It is much better to tempt fortune where it can favor you than to see your certain ruin by not tempting it.