Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.

...it is a base thing to look to others for your defense instead of depending upon yourself. That defense alone is effectual, sure, and durable which depends upon yourself and your own valor.

For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.

The end of the republic is to enervate and to weaken all other bodies so as to increase its own body.

Delusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

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