States, as great engines, move slowly.

When Christ came into the world, peace was sung; and when He went out of the world, peace was bequeathed.

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

To know truly is to know by causes.

It is as hard and severe a thing to be a true politician as to be truly moral.

It's always hopeless to talk about painting - one never does anything but talk around it.

It is madness and a contradiction to expect that things which were never yet performed should be effected, except by means hitherto untried.