For as laws are necessary that good manners be preserved, so there is need of good manners that law may be maintained.

One should never risk one's whole fortune unless supported by one's entire forces.

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

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing; and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs, they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.

For, in truth, there is no sure way of holding other than by destroying

Never do an enemy a small injury.

Speaking generally, men are ungrateful, fickle, hypocritical, fearful odanger and covetous ogain.