There is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new order of things..... Whenever his enemies have occasion to attack the innovator they do so with the passion of partisans, while the others defend him sluggishly so that the innovator and his party alike are vulnerable.

For a long time I have not said what I believed, nor do I ever believe what I say, and if indeed sometimes I do happen to tell the truth, I hide it among so many lies that it is hard to find.

Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

He who makes war his profession cannot be otherwise than vicious. War makes thieves, and peace brings them to the gallows.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

Only those means of security are good, are certain, are lasting, that depend on yourself and your own vigor.