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

"He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command."

"For it can be said of men in general that they are ungrateful, fickle, feigners and dissemblers, shirkers of dangers, eager for gain."

"It is better to be impetuous than cautious, because Fortune is a woman, and if you wish to control her, it is necessary to beat and ill-use her."

"Men are generally so simple and so ready to obey present necessities, that one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived."