Three of the gravest failings, want of sense, of courage, or of vigilance.

When tremendous dangers are involved, no one can be blamed for looking to his own interest.

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

It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory is to be won.

...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.

The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine.