Human nature is the one constant through human history. It is always there.

To be an object of hatred and aversion to their contemporaries has been the usual fate of all those whose merit has raised them above the common level. The man who submits to the shafts of envy for the sake of noble objects pursues a judicious course for his own lasting fame. Hatred dies with its object, while merit soon breaks forth in full splendor, and his glory is handed down to posterity in never-dying strains.

Men's indignation, it seems, is more exited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.

Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought.

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

For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.

Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.