Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

Therefore, it is necessary to be a fox to discover the snares and a lion to terrify the wolves

To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

And what physicians say about disease is applicable here: that at the beginning a disease is easy to cure but difficult to diagnose; but as time passes, not having been recognized or treated at the outset, it becomes easy to diagnose but difficult to cure. The same thing occurs in affairs of state; for by recognizing from afar the diseases that are spreading in the state (which is a gift given only to the prudent ruler), they can be cured quickly; but when, not having been recognized, they are not recognized and are left to grow to the extent that everyone recognizes them, there is no longer any cure.

If you only notice human proceedings, you may observe that all who attain great power and riches, make use of either force or fraud; and what they have acquired either by deceit or violence, in order to conceal the disgraceful methods of attainment, they endeavor to sanctify with the false title of honest gains.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.