Minds are of three kinds: one is capable of thinking for itself; another is able to understand the thinking of others; and a third can neither think for itself nor understand the thinking of others. The first is of the highest excellence, the second is excellent, and the third is worthless.

....for friendships that are acquired by a price and not by greatness and nobility of character are purchased but are not owned, and at the proper moment they cannot be spent.

Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see but few can test by feeling. Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are; and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion.

A wise ruler should rely on what is under his own control, not on what is under the control of others.

To be feared is much safer then to be loved.

For government consists in nothing else but so controlling subjects that they shall neither be able to, nor have cause to do [it] harm.

Men walk almost always in the paths trodden by others, proceeding in their actions by imitation.