On [:] Estimate | Niccolò Machiavelli, 1532

Diego Velázquez, Philip IV Hunting Wild Boar, 17th century (detail)

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a
ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”

Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, 1532

Also:
Alphabetarion # Mercenaries | Niccolò Machiavelli, 1513