Whatever evils either reason or declamation have imputed to extensive empire, the power of Rome was attended with some beneficial consequences to mankind; and the same freedom of intercourse which extended the vices, diffused likewise the improvements of social life.

Persuasion is the resource of the feeble; and the feeble can seldom persuade . . .

But a wild democracy . . . too often disdains the essential principles of justice.

[Personal] industry must be faint and languid, which is not excited by the sense of personal interest.

History should be to the political economist a wellspring of experience and wisdom.

[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.

'I believe in o­ne God and Mohammed the Apostle of God,' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honours of the prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion.