“Such is the nature of crowds: either they are humble and servile or arrogant and dominating. They are incapable of making moderate use of freedom, which is the middle course, or of keeping it.”

Events of great consequence often spring from trifling circumstances.

War is just to those to whom war is necessary.

War is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of impiety for those who have no hope left but in arms.

He will have true glory who despises it.

All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.

There is nothing worse than being ashamed of parsimony or poverty.

Wit is the flower of the imagination.

Those ills are easiest to bear with which we are most familiar.

Friendships ought to be immortal, hostilities mortal.

Avarice and luxury, those evils which have been the ruin of every great state.

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.

Temerity is not always successful.

Persevere in virtue and diligence.

Luck is of little moment to the great general, for it is under the control of his intellect and his judgment.

Great contests generally excite great animosities.

Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.