"A man who is used to acting with caution, when circumstances require him to act with impetuosity, cannot change his nature."

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

"Men are by nature much more inclined to evil than to good; and therefore, if you would have the good, you must put them under the necessity of being so."

"For of men it may generally be affirmed, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous."

"A prince must be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves."