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.

Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.

A small state increases by concord; the greatest falls gradually to ruin by dissension.

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

Ambition breaks the ties of blood, and forgets the obligations of gratitude.

It is sweet to surve one country by deeds, and it is not absurd to surve her by words.