A nation is a society united by a delusion about its ancestry and by common hatred of its neighbours.

A monarch frequently represents his subjects better that an elected assembly; and if he is a good judge of character he is likely to have more capable and loyal advisers.

We must cut our coat according to our cloth, and adapt ourselves to changing circumstances.

In imperialism nothing fails like success. If the conqueror oppresses his subjects, they will become fanatical patriots, and sooner or later have their revenge; if he treats them well, and governs them for their good, they will multiply faster than their rulers, till they claim their independence.

In praising science, it does not follow that we must adopt the very poor philosophies which scientific men have constructed. In philosophy they have much more to learn than to teach.

A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, which is more than can be said for human beings.

The greatest obstacle to progress is not man's inherited pugnacity, but his incorrigible tendency to parasitism.