“Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.”
“Intelligence is a mere instrument of circumstances.”
“Religion is regarded by the ignorant as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”
“Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.”
“It was never wise for a ruler to eschew the trappings of power, for power itself flows in no small measure from such trappings.”
“Weakness' is weakness only in light of the aims man sets for himself, the instruments at his disposal and the laws he imposes.”