a prince cannot rely upon what he sees in the periods of calm

a prince cannot rely upon what he sees in the periods of calm when the citizens need his rule, because then everyone becomes running, everyone makes promises, and each person is willing to die for him, since death is remote. But in times of adversity, when the state needs its citizens, then few are to be found. And this experiment is all the more dangerous since it can be tried but once. (N.Machiavelli, The Prince)

"Все беды происходят из-за недоговоренностей" (отец)

If you are not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original.

Остерегайся того, кто подносит тебе рюмку; не давай девицам больше того, что они стоят. (отец)

Вся экономика сводится к экономии времени (К.Маркс)