The violence of war admits no distinction; the lance, that is lifted at guilt and power, will sometimes fall on innocence and gentleness.

Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.

He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience.

Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled.

Except during the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs as well as a tree. We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others.

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas; he that reads books of science, thogh without any fixed desire of improvement, will grow more knowing.