He who builds on the people, builds on the mud

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

....it cannot be called ingenuity to kill one's fellow citizens, to betray friends, to be without faith, without mercy, without religion; by these means one can aquire power but not glory.

Nature that framed us of four elements, warring within our breasts for regiment, doth teach us all to have aspiring minds.

...people are by nature fickle, and it is easy to persuade them of something, but difficult to keep them persuaded.

Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.

I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for adulation is lacking.