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.

In generosity we are equally singular, acquiring our friends by conferring, not by receiving, favours.

For if many ill-conceived plans have succeeded through the still greater lack of judgment of an opponent, many more, apparently well laid, have on the contrary ended in disgrace. The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.

Some legislators only wish to vengeance against a particular enemy. Others only look out for themselves. They devote very little time on the consideration of any public issue. They think that no harm will come from their neglect. They act as if it is always the business of somebody else to look after this or that. When this selfish notion is entertained by all, the commonwealth slowly begins to decay.

For the love of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominion of the stronger, and the possession of capital enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection.

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

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