"The prince must consider, as has been..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

“You know better than I that in a Republic talent is always suspect. A man attains an elevated position only when his mediocrity prevents him from being a threat to others. And for this reason a democracy is never governed by the most competent, but rather by those whose insignificance will not jeopardize anyone else's self-esteem.”

“The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don't just go away, they are only postponed to someone else's advantage. Therefore, they made war with Philip and Antiochus in Greece, in order not to have to fight them in Italy... They never went by that saying which you constantly hear from the wiseacres of our day, that time heals all things. They trusted rather their own character and prudence- knowing perfectly well that time contains the seeds of all things, good as well as bad.”

“A prince ought to have two fears, one from within, on account of his subjects, the other from without, on account of external powers.”

“Every man who takes office in Washington either grows or swells, and when I give a man an office, I watch him carefully to see whether he is growing or swelling.”

“When a leader reaches out in passion, he is usually met with an answering passion.”

“People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything.”

“A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view.”

“A man may write himself out of reputation when nobody else can do it.”

“It is grievous for a man to leave behind him a shadow in his own shape.”