The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.
This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.
The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader.
Corruptisima republica plurimae leges.
The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.