Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.

Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger.

The superior gratification derived from the use and contemplation of costly and supposedly beautiful products is, commonly, in great measure a gratification of our sense of costliness masquerading under the name of beauty.

Indeed it is generally the case that men are readier to call rogues clever than simpletons honest, and are ashamed of being the second as they are proud of being the first.

You should punish in the same manner those who commit crimes with those who accuse falsely.

Don't confuse meaning with truth.

For men can endure to hear others praised only so long as they can severally persuade themselves of their own ability to equal the actions recounted: when this point is passed, envy comes in and with it incredulity.