“No law is quite appropriate for all.”

Friends should be judged by their acts, not their words.

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.

Sometimes it’s better to bend the law a little in special cases.

Prior to any questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed.

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

What white man has ever seen me drunk? Who has ever come to me hungry and left me unfed? Who has seen me beat my wives or abuse my children? What law have I broken?

A theory deeply etched in our law is that a free society prefers to punish the few who abuse the rights of free speech after they break the law rather than to throttle them and all others beforehand.

A man with a club is a law-maker.

The problem with living outside the law is that you no longer have its protection.

Civilization never recedes; the law of necessity ever forces it onwards.