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.

The trouble is that my heart is loath to be without love even for a single hour. ... If you want to keep me forever, then show as much friendship as love, and more than anything else, love me and tell me the truth.

Your wits make others witty.

Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.

I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.

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.

I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.