Advise well before you begin, and when you have maturely considered, then act with promptitude.

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.

To hope for safety in flight, when you have turned away from the enemy the arms by which the body is defended, is indeed madness. In battle those who are most afraid are always in most danger; but courage is equivalent to rampart.

The higher your station, the less your liberty.

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

There were few who preferred honor to money.

Distinguished ancestors shed a powerful light on their descendants, and forbid the concealment either of their merits or of their demerits.