“No wickedness proceeds on any grounds of reason.”

The mind sins, not the body; if there is no intention, there is no blame.

Many things complicated by nature are restored by reason.

Fame opportunely despised often comes back redoubled.

An honor prudently declined often returns with increased luster.

The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.

Shared danger is the strongest of bonds; it will keep men united in spite of mutual dislike and suspicion.

Truth is often eclipsed but never extinguished.

The result showed that fortune helps the brave.

Such is the nature of crowds: either they are humble and servile or arrogant and dominating. They are incapable of making moderate use of freedom, which is the middle course, or of keeping it.

Men’s minds are too ready to excuse guilt in themselves.

Events of great consequence often spring from trifling circumstances.

War is just to those to whom war is necessary.

War is just to those for whom it is necessary, and arms are clear of impiety for those who have no hope left but in arms.

He will have true glory who despises it.

All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.

There is nothing worse than being ashamed of parsimony or poverty.

Ah, cruel ’tis to love, And cruel not to love, But cruelest of all To love and love in vain.

I think after we ingest some of the cruelty of the world, it takes years off of our lives, but it also gives us wisdom and a little grace, hopefully a sense of compassion.

Cruel men are the greatest lovers of Mercy, avaricious men of generosity, and proud men of humility; that is to say, in other, not in themselves.

While people are struggling unhappily in the cities against the cruel authorities, a waterfall happily and cheerfully flows in the nature; there is happiness only if there is freedom!

Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths.

Doubts are more cruel than the worst of truths. It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do. A lover whose passion is extreme loves even the faults of the beloved.

The philosopher Elaine Scarry has observed that “beauty always takes place in the particular.” Cruelty, on the other hand, prefers abstraction.

Cruelty depends on an understanding of cruelty, and the ability to choose against it. Or to choose to ignore it.