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.

The reason most people fail instead of succeed is they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment.

You cannot treat with all the world at once.

History is a set of lies agreed upon.

To listen to the interests of all marks an ordinary government; to foresee them marks a great government.

Forethought we may have, undoubtedly, but not foresight.

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