If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots.

I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other.

Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him.

What is history but a fable agreed upon?

He is almost a statesman. He lies well.

You must not fear death, my lads; defy him, and you drive him into the enemy's ranks.

The affairs of war, like the destiny of battles, as well as empires, hang upon a spiders thread.