“Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.”

There can never be a complete confidence in a power which is excessive.

Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]

No one in Germany laughs at vice, nor do they call it the fashion to corrupt and to be corrupted.

Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.

They terrify lest they should fear.

That cannot be safe which is not honourable.

The desire of glory is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise.

Bottling up his malice to be suppressed and brought out with increased violence.

We accomplish more by prudence than by force. [Lat., Plura consilio quam vi perficimus.]

A shocking crime was committed on the unscrupulous initiative of few individuals, with the blessing of more, and amid the passive acquiescence of all.

Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone. [Lat., Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignoros ad desperationem formidine properare.]

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt

Corruptisima republica plurimae leges.

In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.