"I quietly declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will still make use and get advantage of her as I can, as is usual in such cases."

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Picture the prince, such as most of them are today: a man ignorant of the law, well-nigh an enemy to his people's advantage, while intent on his personal convenience, a dedicated voluptuary, a hater of learning, freedom and truth, without a thought for the interests of his country, and measuring everything in terms of his own profit and desires.

— Desiderius Erasmus