The most melancholy of human reflections, perhaps, is that, on the whole, it is a question whether the benevolence of mankind does most good or harm.

So long as war is the main business of nations, temporary despotism - despotism during the campaign - is indispensable.

The reason why so few good books are written is that so few people who can write know anything.

Poverty is an anomaly to rich people; it is very difficult to make out why people who want dinner do not ring the bell.

When great questions end, little parties begin.

Adventure is the life of commerce, but caution is the life of banking.

A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.