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 are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.

When settling disputes between his subjects, he should ensure that his judgement is irrevocable; and he should be so regarded that no one ever dreams of trying to deceive or trick him.

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.

...the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.

How perilous it is to free a people who prefer slavery.

The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.