....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.

Power is the pivot on which everything hinges. He who has the power is always right; the weaker is always wrong.

He who builds on the people, builds on the mud

There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.

Since the handling of arms is a beautiful spectacle, it is delightful to young men.

Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.