We secure our friends not by accepting favours but by doing them.

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

Most people, in fact, will not take the trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.

War is an evil thing; but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse.... Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will ultimately restore our losses, but submission will mean permanent loss of all that we value.... To you who call yourselves men of peace, I say: You are not safe unless you have men of action on your side.

I could have wished that the reputations of many brave men were not to be imperilled in the mouth of a single individual, to stand or fall according as he spoke well or ill. For it is hard to speak properly upon a subject where it is even difficult to convince your hearers that you are speaking the truth.

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

Don't confuse meaning with truth.