Whatever is done by design is always overdone.

When Actions are a Censure upon themselves, the Reciter will always be consider'd as a Satirist.

A hero in one age will be a hero in another.

Custom ... changes the very nature of things; and what was honorable a thousand years ago, may probably be looked upon as infamous now.

The motives even of our best actions will not always bear examination.

In taking revenge upon our enemies, we are only even with them; in passing over their malice we are superior.

It is more important to detect corruption than fiction.