The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted princes.

The art of being sometimes audacious and sometimes very prudent is the secret of success.

It is in times of difficulty that great nations like great men display the whole energy of their character and become an object of admiration to posterity.

In politics nothing is immutable. Events carry within them an invincible power.

Clever policy consists in making nations believe they are free.

Music, of all the liberal arts, has the greatest influence over the passions, and it is that to which the legislator ought to give the greatest encouragement.

War is the business of barbarians.