The policy that can strike only while the iron is hot will be overcome by that perseverance, which ... can make that iron hot by striking and he that can only rule the storm must yield to him who can both raise and rule it.

Words indeed are but the signs and counters of knowledge, and their currency should be strictly regulated by the capital which they represent.

Logic and metaphysics make use of more tools than all the rest of the sciences put together, and do the least work.

The excesses of our youth are drafts upon our old age.

It is more easy to forgive the weak who have injured us than the powerful whom we have injured.

To admit that there is any such thing as chance, in the common acceptation of the term, would be to attempt to establish a power independent of God.

Hannibal knew better how to conquer than how to profit by the conquest; and Napoleon was more skilful in taking positions than in maintaining them. As to reverses, no general cart presume to say that he may not be defeated; but he can, and ought to say, that he will not be surprised.