We can profit only by our own misfortunes and those of others. The former, though they may be the more beneficial, are also the more painful; let us turn, then, to the latter.

The common people feel themselves oppressed by the grasping of some, and their vanity is flattered by others. Fired with evil passions, they are no longer willing to submit to control, but demand that everything be subject to their authority. The invariable result is that government assumes the noble names of free and popular, but becomes in fact the most execrable thing, mob rule.

When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning.

A good general not only sees the way to victory; he also knows when victory is impossible.

If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle, unprofitable tale.

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories.

Since the masses of the people are inconstant, full of unruly desires, passionate, and reckless of consequences, they must be filled with fears to keep them in order. The ancients did well, therefore, to invent gods, and the belief in punishment after death.