man cannot control the current of events. he can only float with them and steer

With bad laws and good civil servants it's still possible to govern. But with bad civil servants even the best laws can't help.

The Balkans arent worth the life of a single Pomeranian grenadier.

Earthly majesty is always akin to the fallen angel, who is proud and unhappy, beautiful but troubled, and whose plans and efforts, though vast, are denied access.

Hounds follow those who feed them.

The Catholic priest, from the moment he becomes a priest, is a sworn officer of the pope.

Even the most favorable outcome of the war will never lead to the decomposition of the main forces of Russia, which is based on millions of Russian ... The latter, even if they break up international treaties, just as quickly re-connect with each other, like pieces of a particle of mercury.