I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

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

Delusion gives you more happiness than truth gives to me. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

Decide which is the line of conduct that presents the fewest drawbacks and then follow it out as being the best one, because one never finds anything perfectly pure and unmixed, or exempt from danger.

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.

Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.