It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.

It is not necessary to prohibit or encourage oddities of conduct which are not harmful.

Obedience to public authority ought not to be based either on ignorance or stupidity.

In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage.

Give me enough medals and I’ll win you any war

Among so many conflicting ideas and so many different perspectives, the honest man is confused and distressed and the skeptic becomes wicked ... Since one must take sides, one might as well choose the side that is victorious, the side which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the alternative, it is better to eat than to be eaten.

Champagne! In victory, one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.