Passion, interest, or caprice, suggested daily motives for the dissolution of marriage; a word, a sign, a message, a letter, the mandate of a freedman, declared the separation; the most tender of human connections was degraded to a transient society of profit or pleasure.

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

[Every] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war.

These idle disputants overlooked the invariable laws of nature, which have connected peace with innocence, plenty with industry, and safety with valour.

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

The spectator and historian of [Belisarius's] exploits has observed, that amidst the perils of war, he was daring without rashness, prudent without fear, slow or rapid according to the exigencies of the moment; that in the deepest distress he was animated by real or apparent hope, but that he was modest and humble in the most prosperous fortune.

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.