Whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it.
Whoever considers the past and the present will readily observe that all cities and all peoples are and ever have been animated by the same desires and the same passions.
How easily men may be corrupted.
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
The people as a body are courageous, but individually they are cowardly and feeble.
The faults of the people spring from the faults of their rulers.
Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.
Men are driven chiefly by two things: love and fear.
It may at times be the highest wisdom to simulate folly.
It is not titles that honor men, but men honor the titles.
In all human affairs, we cannot rid ourselves of one inconvenience without running into another.
If one wishes to be obeyed, it is necessary to know how to command.
