A secret is seldom safe in more than one breast.

Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as it is generally in books the worst sort of reading.

Orators inflame the people, whose anger is really but a short fit of madness.

One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.

Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age.

Arbitrary power is the natural object of temptation to a prince, as wine and women to a young fellow, or a bribe to a judge, or avarice to old age.

In church your grandsire cut his throat; to do the job too long he tarried: he should have had my hearty vote to cut his throat before he married.