“Custom adapts itself to expediency.”

Deos fortioribus adesse. The gods support those who are stronger.

The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.

The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair through fear alone. [Lat., Fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere, timidos et ignoros ad desperationem formidine properare.]

Laws were most numerous when the commonwealth was most corrupt

Corruptisima republica plurimae leges.

In stirring up tumult and strife, the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.

Remedies are more tardy in their operation than diseases.

A bad peace is even worse than war.

Who the first inhabitants of Britain were, whether natives or immigrants, remains obscure; one must remember we are dealing with barbarians.

The repose of nations cannot be secure without arms, armies cannot be maintained without pay, nor can the pay be produced without taxes

When men of talents are punished, authority is strengthened. [Lat., Punitis ingeniis, gliscit auctoritas.]

In the struggle between those seeking power there is no middle course.

Old things are always in good repute, present things in disfavor.

Rulers always hate and suspect the next in succession. [Lat., Suspectum semper invisumque dominantibus qui proximus destinaretur.]

All bodies are slow in growth but rapid in decay.

Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws.