Politics have no relation to morals.

Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.

Men are so stupid and concerned with their present needs, they will always let themselves be deceived.

Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul.

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

Never was anything great achieved without danger.

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

Never do an enemy a small injury.

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Power is the pivot on which everything hinges. He who has the power is always right; the weaker is always wrong.

it is better to act and repent than not to act and regret.

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

Always assume incompetence before looking for a conspiracy.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

A sign of intelligence is an awareness of one's own ignorance.

What men value in this world is not rights but privileges.

An idealist notices that roses smell better than cabbage and concludes that it will also make better soup.