I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.

Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.

We cannot attribute to fortune or virtue that which is achieved without either.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear.

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.

One can generally say this about men: that they are ungrateful, fickle, simulators and deceivers, avoiders of danger, greedy for gain; and while you work for their good they are completely yours, offering you their blood, their property, their lives, and their sons when danger is far away; but when it comes nearer to you, they turn away.

A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.