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

Men are of three different capacities: one understands intuitively; another understands so far as it is explained; and a third understands neither of himself nor by explanation. The first is excellent, the second, commendable, and the third, altogether useless.

One must be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten wolves

Knowing how to fight made men more bold, because no one fears doing what it seems to him he has learned to do. Therefore, the ancients wanted their citizens to be trained in every warlike action.

One arises from a low to a high station more often by using fraud instead of force.

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

For, besides what has been said, it should be borne in mind that the temper of the multitude is fickle, and that while it is easy to persuade them of a thing, it is hard to fix them in that persuasion