The French complain of everything, and always.

Few really believe. The most only believe that they believe or even make believe.

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

The unwilling soldier will do anything to fight for a useless fabric piece of ribbon.

Conquest has made me what I am, only conquest can maintain me.

Machiavelli is right: one always must live with one's friends with the idea that they may turn into one's enemies. He should have said, with everyone.

War is a lottery in which nations ought to risk nothing but small amounts.