"For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often even more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are."

"All men are bad and ever ready to use their inherent baseness whenever they have a free opportunity to do so."

"The Roman state was ruined by the ambition of the people as much as by the ambition of the nobility."

"Therefore a prince, not being able to use this virtue of liberality in such a way that it may be recognized, except to his cost, a wise prince ought not to mind the reputation of being a miser."

"The nature of men is such that they are much beholden to those who do them good, and they are much offended by those who do them evil."