Jim’s Reviews > The Discourses > Status Update

How frequently men form false opinions has been observed and is still observed by those who happen to be witnesses of their decisions, unless made by men of first-class ability, are very often the reverse of being sound.

Government by the populace is better than government by princes. If account be taken of all the disorders due to populaces and all those due to princes, and of all the glories won by populaces and all those won by princes, it will be found that alike in goodness and in glory the populace is far superior.

Instituions and laws made in the early days of a republic when men were good, no longer serve their purpose when men have become bad.

This bears out what has been said above, namely, that men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are too free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become everywhere rampant.