It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery. These may, perhaps, succeed for once, and borrow for awhile, from hope, a gay and flourishing appearance. But time betrays their weakness, and they fall into ruin of themselves. For, as in structures of every kind, the lower parts should have the greatest firmness--so the grounds and principles of actions should be just and true.

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

The fact speak for themselves.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master

Nothing is so easy as to deceive one's self; for what we wish, that we readily believe; but such expectations are often inconsistent with the real state of things.

Nothing is easier than self-deceit.

The best protection for the people is not necessarily to believe everything people tell them.