It is scarcely possible that the eyes of contemporaries should discover in the public felicity the latent causes of decay and corruption. This long peace, and the uniform government of the Romans, introduced a slow and secret poison into the vitals of the empire. The minds of men were gradually reduced to the same level, the fire of genius was extinguished, and even the military spirit evaporated.

Greek is doubtless the most perfect [language] that has been contrived by the art of man.

[Every age], however destitute of science or virtue, sufficiently abounds with acts of blood and military renown.

[Instead] of inquiring why the Roman empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long.

It has been sagaciously conjectured, that the artful legislator indulged the stubborn prejudices of his countrymen.

[Peace] cannot be honorable or secure, if the sovereign betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war.

The science of the laws is the slow growth of time and experience.