"For where the fear of God is wanting, it is inevitable that the kingdom will come to ruin, or that it will be sustained by the fear of a prince, which will supply the want of religion."

"Men must either be caressed or annihilated; they will revenge themselves for slight wrongs, but not for great ones."

"The innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new."

"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…"

"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."