Ambition is so powerful a passion in the human breast, that however high we reach we are never satisfied.

Favors

Benefits should be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.

Humankind

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.

Intelligence and Intellectuals

There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. This first kind is excellent, the second good, and the third kind useless.

Leaders and Leadership

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

Promises

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.