The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose.

Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself.

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.

The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature.

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.

The philosopher, who with calm suspicion examines the dreams and omens, the miracles and prodigies, of profane or even of ecclesiastical history, will probably conclude that, if the eyes of the spectators have sometimes been deceived by fraud, the understanding of the readers has much more frequently been insulted by fiction.

On the approach of spring, I withdraw without reluctance from the noisy and extensive scene of crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure.