Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

By general consent, he would have been capable of ruling, had he not ruled.

Style, like the human body, is specially beautiful when, so to say, the veins are not prominent, and the bones cannot be counted, but when a healthy and sound blood fills the limbs, and shows itself in the muscles, and the very sinews become beautiful under a ruddy glow and graceful outline.

There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt

If you would know who controls you see who you may not criticise.

They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor… They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace.