There is no other way of guarding oneself against flattery than by letting men understand that they will not offend you by speaking the truth; but when everyone can tell you the truth, you lose their respect.

Whoever is the cause of another becoming powerful, is ruined himself; for that power is produced by him either through craft or force; and both of these are suspected by the one who has been raised to power.

A son can bear with composure the death of his father, but the loss of his inheritance might drive him to despair.

It is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman.