In private enterprises men may advance or recede, whereas they who aim at empire have no alternative between the highest success and utter downfall.

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.

The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes

A bad peace is even worse than war.

Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.

Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.

The most detestable race of enemies are flatterers.