Rumor is not always wrong
An eminent reputation is as dangerous as a bad one.
The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace.
Great empires are not maintained by timidity.
This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.
Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure