It [Egypt] has more wonders in it than any other country in the world and provides more works that defy description than any otherplace.

Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.

The worst part a man can suffer is to have insight into much and power over nothing.

History is marked by alternating movements across the imaginary line that separates East from West in Eurasia.

In soft regions are born soft men.

They [the Persians] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may determine is again proposed to them on the morrow, in their cooler moments, by the person in whose house they had before assembled. If at this time also it meet their approbation, it is executed; otherwise it is rejected. Whatever also they discuss when sober, is always a second time examined after they have been drinking.

Where even a falsehood must be told, let it be told.