But the severe rules of discipline which the prudence of the bishops had instituted were relaxed by the same prudence in favour of an Imperial proselyte, whom it was so important to allure, by every gentle condescension, into the pale of the church; and Constantine was permitted, at least by a tacit dispensation, to enjoy most of the privileges, before he had contracted any of the obligations, of a Christian.

The voice of history is often little more than the organ of hatred or flattery.

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.

And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

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

A false modesty is the meanest species of pride.

Inclined to peace by his temper and situation, it was easy for [Augustus] to discover that Rome, in her present exalted situation, had much less to hope than to fear from the chance of arms; and that, in the prosecution of remote wars, the undertaking became every day more difficult, the event more doubtful, and the possession more precarious and less beneficial.