Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.

A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

Republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.