Men climb from one ambition to another.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI, Discourses on Livy
Irresolute Princes, to escape immediate danger, commonly follow the neutral path, in most instances to their destruction.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI, The Prince
And it will always happen that he who is not your friend will invite you to neutrality, while he who is your friend will call on you to declare yourself openly in arms.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI, The Prince
When fortune wishes to bring mighty events to a successful conclusion, she selects some man of spirit and ability who knows how to seize the opportunity she offers.