It is not only spirits who punish the evil, the soul brings itself to judgment: and also it is not right for those who endure for ever to attain everything in a short time: and also, there is need of human virtue. If punishment followed instantly upon sin, men would act justly from fear and have no virtue.

Ambition drove many men to become false; to have one thought locked in the breast, another ready on the tongue.

Necessity makes even the timid brave.

It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

But the case has proved that to be true which Appius says in his songs, that each man is the maker of his own fate.

It is the nature of ambition to make men liars and cheats, to hide the truth in their breasts, and show, like jugglers, another thing in their mouths, to cut all friendships and enmities to the measure of their own interest, and to make a good countenance without the help of good will.

By union the smallest states thrive. By discord the greatest are destroyed.