If a ruler who wants to act honourably is surrounded by unscrupulous men, his downfall is inevitable.

Around thrones the thunder rolls.

How men fear the chaos of the world, I thought, and the yawning eternity hereafter. So we build patterns to explain its terrible mysteries and reassure ourselves we are safe in this world and beyond.

Achievements take leaders' name everywhere. Character keeps those names wherever they reach. A leader with no trust soon fades no matter how far he goes.

at Florence which included diplomatic missions to various European courts. Imprisoned

If you get to the edge of the penalty area with the ball and don't know what to do next, just stick the ball in the net for now. We can evaluate the other options later.

Dear Lord, I pray that my place will never be with the cold, timid souls who do not compete yet criticize, for they never know or feel success or failure.

You have to remind people of their own struggles. It's a responsibility.

You live for pretentious metaphors.

I want to retire very early, by the time I am 40, and go to live in Italy.

In a few generations you can breed a racehorse. The recipe for making a man like Delacroix is less well known.

In good films, there is always a directness that entirely frees us from the itch to interpret.

When in trouble, take a bath and wash your hair.