“The wicked find it easier to coalesce for seditious purposes than for concord in peace.”

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.

No hatred is so bitter as that of near relations.

There are odious virtues; such as inflexible severity, and an integrity that accepts of no favor.

Things are not to be judged good or bad merely because the public think so.

Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.

So obscure are the greatest events, as some take for granted any hearsay, whatever its source, others turn truth into falsehood, and both errors find encouragement with posterity.

Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty.

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.

Those in supreme power always suspect and hate their next heir.

When a woman has lost her chastity she will shrink from nothing.

The lust of dominion burns with a flame so fierce as to overpower all other affections of the human breast.

Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.

To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace.

Falsehood avails itself of haste and uncertainty.

This I regard as history’s highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds.

Liberty is given by nature even to mute animals.