Discourses on Livy[edit]
Main article: Discourses on Livy
The Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livy, published in 1531, written 1517, often referred to simply as the "Discourses" or Discorsi, is nominally a discussion regarding the classical history of early Ancient Rome although it strays very far from this subject matter and also uses contemporary political examples to illustrate points. Machiavelli presents it as a series of lessons on how a republic should be started and structured. It is a larger work than The Prince, and while it more openly explains the advantages of republics, it also contains many similar themes. Commentators disagree about how much the two works agree with each other, frequently referring to leaders of democracies as "princes". It includes early versions of the concept of checks and balances, and asserts the superiority of a republic over a principality. It became one of the central texts of republicanism, and has often been argued to be a superior work to The Prince.[17]

From The Discourses:

"In fact, when there is combined under the same constitution a prince, a nobility, and the power of the people, then these three powers will watch and keep each other reciprocally in check." Book I, Chapter II
"Doubtless these means [of attaining power] are cruel and destructive of all civilized life, and neither Christian, nor even human, and should be avoided by every one. In fact, the life of a private citizen would be preferable to that of a king at the expense of the ruin of so many human beings." Bk I, Ch XXVI
"Now, in a well-ordered republic, it should never be necessary to resort to extra-constitutional measures. ..." Bk I, Ch XXXIV
"... the governments of the people are better than those of princes." Book I, Chapter LVIII
"... if we compare the faults of a people with those of princes, as well as their respective good qualities, we shall find the people vastly superior in all that is good and glorious". Book I, Chapter LVIII
"For government consists mainly in so keeping your subjects that they shall be neither able, nor disposed to injure you. ..." Bk II, Ch XXIII
"... no prince is ever benefited by making himself hated." Book III, Chapter XIX
"Let not princes complain of the faults committed by the people subjected to their authority, for they result entirely from their own negligence or bad example." Bk III, Ch XXIX

Another nun story:

It was a few years ago, a weekend "English Camp', which I was leading. A catholic school.
The events of the camp were mundane, usual, games, quizzes, more games, visits to local places of interest. In all an enjoyable weekend in a pleasant hotel.

The setting out was the memorable part; as the head teacher of English I was assigned a front seat on the bus, Mother Superior the other adjacent seat.
As we were waiting it began to rain, heavily , not wishing to get drenched I took my seat on the bus.
Wrong.
The administrator to mother superior immediately asked me to visit the "resting room", I declined as I had no need to relieve myself.
"Please you must go to the rest room,".
Did I smell I wondered.
Well it seemed urgent, so I got off the bus and headed where directed.
I reiterated that I really did not need to relieve myself, that I was fine.
A minute elapsed and I was informed it was all alright now.
Back to the bus; mother superior was seated ; then I knew.