“To keep your actions and your plans secret always has been a very good thing . .. Marcus Crassus said to one who asked him when he was going to move the army: 'Do you believe that you will be the only one not to hear the trumpet?”

“And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways.”

“The peasant wants only to be left alone to prosper in peace.”

“Men are of three different capacities: one understands intuitively; another understands so far as it is explained; and a third understands neither of himself nor by explanation. The first is excellent, the second, commendable, and the third, altogether useless.”

“A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good. Therefore, it is necessary for a prince, who wishes to maintain himself, to learn how not to be good, and to use this knowledge and not use it according to the necessity of the case.”

“The wound of peace is surety, Surety secure.”

“Security is the chief enemy of mortals.”

“England is safe, if true within itself.”

“What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.”

“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”

“Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.”

“Thou art a Castilian King urinal!”

“If there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have more occasion to know one another: I hope, upon familiarity will grow more contempt.”

“Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter!”

“When once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right.”

“Tis a cruelty to load a fallen man.”

“Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”

“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”

“But since the affairs of men rests still incertain,Let's reason with the worst that may befall.”

“All things are ready, if our mind be so.”

“To fear the foe, since fear oppresseth strength, gives in your weakness strength unto your foe.”

“If he be so resolved, I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear That unicorns may be betrayed with trees And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, Lions with toils, and men with flatterers”

“The weakest goes to the wall.”