Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others as long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous.

I am not blaming those who are resolved to rule, only those who show an even greater readiness to submit.

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

Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.

We must remember that one man is much the same as another, and that he is best who is trained in the severest school.

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.

Boasting and bravado may exist in the breast even of the coward, if he is successful through a mere lucky hit; but a just contempt of an enemy can alone arise in those who feel that they are superior to their opponent by the prudence of their measures.