All men are evil and will declare themselves to be so when occasion is offered.

It were better for a man to be subject to any vice than to drunkenness; for all other vanities and sins are recovered, but a drunkard will never shake off the delight of beastliness.

Talking much is a sign of vanity, for the one who is lavish with words is cheap in deeds.

Passions are likened best to floods and streams: The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb.

Whoso desireth to govern well and securely, it behoveth him to have a vigilant eye to the proceedings of great princes, and to consider seriously of their designs.

Flatterers are the worst kind of traitors, for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so shadow and paint thy follies and vices as thou shalt never, by their will, discover good from evil, or vice from virtue.

Trust few men; above all, keep your follies to yourself.