It may be observed, that provinces amid the vicissitudes to which they are subject, pass from order into confusion, and afterward recur to a state of order again; for the nature of mundane affairs not allowing them to continue in an even course, when they have arrived at their greatest perfection, they soon begin to decline.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

God creates men, but they choose each other.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.