The young suffer less from their own errors than from the cautiousness of the old.

Vice foments war; it is virtue which actually fights. If there were no virtue, we would live in peace forever.

Some are born to invent, others to embellish; but the gilder attracts more attention than the architect.

If it is true that vice can never be done away with, the science of government consists of making it contribute to the public good.

Men despise great projects when they do not feel themselves capable of great successes.

Reason and emotion counsel and supplement each other. Whoever heeds only the one, and puts aside the other, recklessly deprives himself of a portion of the aid granted us for the regulation of our conduct.

You must rouse into people's consciousness their own prudence and strength, if you want to raise their character.