In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides.

There are two very natural propensities which we may distinguish in the most virtuous and liberal dispositions, the love of pleasure and the love of action. If the former is refined by art and learning, improved by the charms of social intercourse, and corrected by a just regard to economy, to health, and to reputation, it is productive of the greatest part of the happiness of private life.

A bloody and complete victory has sometimes yielded no more than the possession of the field and the loss of ten thousand men has sometimes been sufficient to destroy, in a single day, the work of ages.

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

The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose.

In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.