Men have their virtues and their vices, their heroisms and their perversities; men are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but possess and practice all that there is of good and bad here below. Such is the general rule. Temperament, education, the accidents of life, are modifying factors. Outside of this, everything is ordered arrangement, everything is chance. Such has been my rule of expectation and it has usually brought me success.

Power is my mistress. I have worked too hard at her conquest to allow anyone to take her away from me.

He, who practices right, but in the hope of acquiring great renown, is very near to vice.

Generals are not to be too scrupulous.

True character stands the test of emergencies. Do not be mistaken, it is weakness from which the awakening is rude.

I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies.

Many a one commits a reprehensible action, who is at bottom an honourable man, because man seldom acts upon natural impulse, but from some secret passion of the moment which lies hidden and concealed within the narrowest folds of his heart.