Oh these foolish men! They could not create so much as a worm, but they create gods by the dozens.

No profession or occupation is more pleasing than the military; a profession or exercise both noble in execution (for the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true valor) and noble in its cause. No utility either more just or universal than the protection of the repose or defense of the greatness of one's country. The company and daily conversation of so many noble, young and active men cannot but be well-pleasing to you.

I cruelly hate cruelty, both by nature and reason, as the worst of all the vices. But then I am so soft in this that I cannot seea chicken's neck wrung without distress, and cannot bear to hear the squealing of a hare between the teeth of my hounds.

We feel a kind of bittersweet pricking of malicious delight in contemplating the misfortunes of others.

No man is so exquisitely honest or upright in living, but that ten times in his life he might not lawfully be hanged.

In general I ask for books that make use of learning, not those that build it up.

Lying is a terrible vice, it testifies that one despises God, but fears men.