It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

It is sweet to surve one country by deeds, and it is not absurd to surve her by words.

The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.

But at power or wealth, for the sake of which wars, and all kinds of strife, arise among mankind, we do not aim; we desire only our liberty, which no honorable man relinquishes but with his life.

Sovereignty is easily preserved by the very arts by which it was originally created. When, however, energy has given place to indifference, and temperance and justice to passion and arrogance, then as the morals change so changes fortune.

By the wicked the good conduct of others is always dreaded.

To have the same desires and the same aversion is assuredly a firm bond of friendship.