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

God and nature have thrown all human fortunes into the midst of mankind; and they are thus attainable rather by rapine than by industry, by wicked actions rather than by good. Hence it is that men feed upon each other, and those who cannot defend themselves must be worried.

The world has always been the same; and there is always as much good fortune as bad in it.

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

He who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building.

Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.