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.

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.

For men can endure to hear others praised only so long as they can severally persuade themselves of their own ability to equal the actions recounted: when this point is passed, envy comes in and with it incredulity.

The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men.

Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.

Men do not rest content with parrying the attacks of a superior, but often strike the first blow to prevent the attack being made.

For men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.