When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how to seize the opportunity she offers.

It is a common failing of man not to take account of tempests during fair weather.

There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.

You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his mediocrity prevents him from being a threat to others. And for this reason a democracy is never governed by the most competent, but rather by those whose insignificance will not jeopardize anyone else's self-esteem.

Men are able to assist fortune but not to thwart her. They can weave her designs, but they cannot destroy them.

A man who is used to acting in one way never changes; he must come to ruin when the times, in changing, no longer are in harmony with his ways.

Thus it happens in matters of state; for knowing afar off (which it is only given a prudent man to do) the evils that are brewing, they are easily cured. But when, for want of such knowledge, they are allowed to grow so that everyone can recognize them, there is no longer any remedy to be found.

It is a foolish prince who entrusts the safety of his lands to hired men.

For this is the tragedy of man circumstances change, but he does not.