There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Present wars impoverish the lords that win as much as those that lose.

Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.

To ensure victory the troops must have confidence in themselves as well as in their commanders.

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.

States that rise quickly, just as all the other things of nature that are born and grow rapidly, cannot have roots and ramifications; the first bad weather kills them

Every little advantage is of great moment when men have to come to blows.