De Monarchia

For it always happens to men who will things before rationally considering them that, their desire being evil, they put behind them the light of reason; as blind men they are led about by their desire, and stubbornly deny their blindness

Whoever runs a race should endeavor with most strenuous effort to come off victor, but in no way should he trip up the one with whom he contends

Like certainty is not to be sought in every matter, but according as the nature of the subject admits it

The order of the parts with reference to the third entity is superior, for partial order has its end in total order, and exists for the latter's sake.

But to believe that there is an end for this government and for that government, and that there is no single end common to all, would indeed be irrational.