The poorest of men are the most useful to those seeking power.

Small endeavours obtain strength by unity of action: the most powerful are broken down by discord.

Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.

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.

Sovereignty is easily preserved by the very arts by which it was originally created. When, however, energy has given place to indifference, and temperance and justice to passion and arrogance, then as the morals change so changes fortune.

In my own case, who have spent my whole life in the practice of virtue, right conduct from habitual has become natural.

Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.