A leader has the right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised.

All becomes easy when we follow the current of opinion; it is the ruler of the world.

One must indeed be ignorant of the methods of genius to suppose that it allows itself to be cramped by forms. Forms are for mediocrity, and it is fortunate that mediocrity can act only according to routine. Ability takes its flight unhindered.

One must change one's tactics every ten years if one wishes to maintain one's superiority.

I am a soldier and accustomed to risking my life every day. I am full of the fire of youth; I cannot act with the restraint of an accomplished diplomat.

I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other.

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.