You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It's a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.

Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.

I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.

Experience shows that the frequent use of severe punishment has never rendered a people better. The death of a criminal is a less effective means of restraining crimes than the permanent example of a man deprived of his liberty during the whole of his life to make amends for the injury he has done to the public.

it is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.

I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.

you must be gay; only thus can life be endured. I speak from experience for I have had to endure much, and have only been able to endure it because I have always laughed whenever I had the chance.