"Men are more apt to forget the death of their father than the loss of their patrimony."

"He who causes another to become powerful is ruined himself; because that power has been effected by him either by industry or by force, and both of these are suspicious to the one who has been raised …"

"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws."

"The desire to acquire is truly a very natural and common thing; and when men who are able to do so acquire, they are always praised and not blamed; but when they are not able to do so, and yet wish to…"

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."