For so remarkably perverse is the nature of man that he despises whoever courts him, and admires whoever will not bend before him.

In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.

The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is 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.

I am not blaming those who are resolved to rule, only those who show an even greater readiness to submit.

Those who really deserve praise are the people who, while human enough to enjoy power, nevertheless pay more attention to justice than they are compelled to do by their situation.

There is no need to suppose that human beings differ very much one from another; but it is true that the ones who come out on top are the ones who have been trained in the hardest school.