“The love of fame is the last weakness which even the wise resign.”

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.

If we must fall, we should boldly meet our fate.

Conspicuous by his absence.

A man in power, once becoming obnoxious, his acts, good or bad, will work out his ruin.

Rumor does not always err; it sometimes even elects a man.

They make solitude, which they call peace.

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family

Whoever – government or individual – has more power & money is dominating and, in many cases, oppressing people who are financially & politically weaker.

Unchecked, the dominating influences of money and of barren intellectualism would reduce the life of emotions to freezing point.

The lust of fame is the last that a wise man shakes off.

The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.

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