Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.

He that struggles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

No men can act with effect who do not act in concert; no men can act in concert who do not act with confidence; no men can act with confidence who are not bound together with common opinions, common affections, and common interests.

Learning will be cast into the mire and trodden down under the hoofs of a swinish multitude.

A perfect democracy is therefore the most shameless thing in the world.

All writers on the science of policy are agreed, and they agree with experience, that all governments must frequently infringe the rules of justice to support themselves; that truth must give way to dissimulation, honesty to convenience, and humanity itself to the reigning of interest. The whole of this mystery of iniquity is called the reason of state.

Prudence is not only the first in rank of the virtues political and moral, but she is the director and regulator, the standard of them all.