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

One should never permit a disorder to persist in order to avoid a war, for wars cannot be avoided and can only be deferred to the advantage of others.

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

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair.

One arises from a low to a high station more often by using fraud instead of force.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways.