Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.
It is of eloquence as of a flame; it requires matter to feed it, and motion to excite it; and it brightens as it burns.
Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family
In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.
Necessity reforms the poor, and satiety reforms the rich.