Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
We believe whatever we want to believe.
It is not possible to found a lasting power upon injustice, perjury, and treachery.
It is the natural disposition of all men to listen with pleasure to abuse and slander of their neighbour, and to hear with impatience those who utter praises of themselves.
What we wish, that we readily believe.
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.