In a conquered country benevolence is not humanitarianism. It is a general political axiom that a conqueror must not inspire a good opinion of his benevolence until he has demonstrated that he can be severe with malefactors.

The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need.

In our time no one has the conception of what is great. It is up to me to show them.

Courage cannot be counterfeited. It is one virtue that escapes hypocrisy.

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

A revolution can be neither made nor stopped. The only thing that can be done is for one of several of its children to give it a direction by dint of victories.

Put a rogue in the limelight and he will act like an honest man.