By punishing men of talent we confirm their authority.
Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.
They terrify lest they should fear.
The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.
Secure against the designs of men, secure against the malignity of the Gods, they have accomplished a thing of infinite difficulty; that to them nothing remains even to be wished.
Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.