Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.

The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

Is it better to be loved or feared?

In conclusion, the arms of others either fall from your back, or they weigh you down, or they bind you fast.

Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.

It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.

There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness.

Armour belonging to someone else either chops off you or weighs you down or is too tight

In a crowd do not lose your individuality, and in your individuality do not lose the crowd.

People's curses will become your clue to win. The trash they think you have will become the treasure for greatness they will plead to enjoy! You will understand this better by and by!

You can photograph anything. You can be inside, outside, doesn't matter, you're controlling the light. It gives you great flexibility. That was a primary motivation.

I don't like American girls. They're very conceited, you know. In Europe they're more pleasant.

Simple perception then is a fallacy. Besides the conscious prejudices that we are aware of imposing on the world, there are a thousand subconscious prejudices that we assume to be actuality.

Isn't it strange how the leaders of nations can talk so eloquently about peace while they prepare for war? ... There is no way to make peace while preparing for war.

Do transvestites have to dress up for Halloween or do they pretty much qualify from the get-go?

I think most people don't react well to being screamed at. It's counterproductive.

When you do your comedy and your drama, your acting style doesn't change. If it's a comedy, the situations and the characters might be a little funnier, but you're just trying to be honest.

World views are social constructions and they channel the search for facts. But facts are found and knowledge progresses, however fitfully.