“A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.”
Tip: press → for another quote, C to copy, S to share.
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.
Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself.
The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love.
To understand the nature of the people one must be a prince, and to understand the nature of the prince, one must be of the people.
