The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.

The sufferings that fate inflicts on us should be borne with patience, what enemies inflict with manly courage.

Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage.

Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.

In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.

The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things... Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of man.

It is useless to attack men who could not be controlled even if conquered, while failure would leave us in an even worse position.