Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

And where the rewards for merit are greatest, there are found the best citizens.

...knowing the secret of happiness to be freedom, and the secret of freedom a brave heart, not idly to stand aside from the enemy's onset.

In practice we always base our preparations against an enemy on the assumption that his plans are good; indeed, it is right to rest our hopes not on a belief in his blunders, but on the soundness of our provisions. Nor ought we to believe that there is much difference between man and man, but to think that the superiority lies with him who is reared in the severest school.

It is a general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well, and look up to those who make no concessions.

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

When a man finds a conclusion agreeable, he accepts it without argument, but when he finds it disagreeable, he will bring against it all the forces of logic and reason.