Whoever takes it upon himself to establish a commonwealth and prescribe laws must presuppose all men naturally bad, and that they will yield to their innate evil passions as often as they can do so with safety.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

Men sooner forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony

...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.

Forgiveness proceeds from a generous soul.

No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.

For he who innovates will have for his enemies all those who are well off under the existing order of things, and only lukewarm supporters in those who might be better off under the new.