A Fool Too Late Bewares When All

I Have Never Been Able To Be So Allured By The Prospect Of Advantages Or So Terrified By Misfortunes, Swayed By Honours Or Fettered By Affection, Nay Not Even So Smitten By The Fear Of Death, As To Enter Upon Marriage.

Although My Royal Rank Causes Me To Doubt Whether My Kingdom Is Not More Sought After Than Myself, Yet I Understand That You Havefound Other Graces In Me.

I Regret The Unhappiness Of Princes Who Are Slaves To Forms And Fettered By Caution.

I Would Gladly Chastise Those Who Represent Things As Different From What They Are. Those Who Steal Property Or Make Counterfeit Money Are Punished, And Those Ought To Be Still More Severely Dealt With Who Steal Away Or Falsify The Good Name Of A Prince.

Of Myself I Must Say This, I Never Was Any Greedy, Scraping Grasper, Nor A Strait Fast-holding Prince, Nor Yet A Master; My Heart Was Never Set On Worldly Goods, But Only For My Subjects' Good.