Francesco Guicciardini

Never wage war on religion, nor upon seemingly holy institutions, for this thing has too great a force upon the minds of fools.

The return we reap from generous actions is not always evident.

Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them.

Affairs that depend on many rarely succeed.

Ambition is not a reprehdnsible quality, nor are ambitious men to be censured, if they seek glory through honorable and honest means. In fact, it is they who produce great and excellent works. Those who lack this passion are cold spirits, inclined towards laziness than activity. But ambition is pernicious and detestable when it has as its sole end power.

To rule self and subdue our passions is the more praiseworthy because so few know how to do it.

There is no evil in human affairs that has not some good mingled with it.

We fight to great disadvantage when we fight with those who have nothing to lose.