The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of chivalry than in the good feats of peace.

In the first place, most princes apply themselves to the arts of war, in which I have neither ability nor interest, instead of to the good arts of peace. They are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms by hook or by crook than on governing well those that they already have.

Lord, give me a sense of humor so that I may take some happiness from this life and share it with others.

Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words.

Most people know nothing about learning; many despise it. Dummies reject as too hard whatever is not dumb.

Nor can they understand why a totally useless substance like gold should now, all over the world, be considered far more important than human beings, who gave it such value as it has, purely for their own convenience.

By reason of gifts and bribes the offices be given to rich men, which should rather have been executed by wise men.