“This above all makes history useful and desirable; it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.”

Avarice and luxury, those evils which have been the ruin of every great state.

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.

Temerity is not always successful.

Persevere in virtue and diligence.

Luck is of little moment to the great general, for it is under the control of his intellect and his judgment.

Great contests generally excite great animosities.

Better and safer is an assured peace than a victory hoped for. The one is in your own power, the other is in the hands of the gods.

No law is sufficiently convenient to all.

Greater is our terror of the unknown.

There is an old saying which, from its truth, has become proverbial, that friendships should be immortal, enmities mortal.

In war, mere appearances have had all the effect of realities; and that a person, under a firm persuasion that he can command resources, virtually has them; that very prospect inspiring him with hope and boldness in his exertions.

The populace is like the sea motionless in itself, but stirred by every wind, even the lightest breeze.

No man likes to be surpassed by those of his own level.

Men are only clever at shifting blame from their own shoulders to those of others.

Woe to the conquered.

From abundance springs safety.

Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to step up and strike.

Now I know the things I know, and I do the things I do; and if you do not like me so, to hell, my love, with you!

Sins are like chains and locks preventing their perpetrator from roaming the vast garden of Tawheed and reaping the fruits of righteous actions.

However much you study, you cannot know without action. A donkey laden with books is neither an intellectual nor a wise man. Empty of essence, what learning has he whether upon him is firewood or book?

We do not become righteous by doing righteous deed but, having been made righteous, we do righteous deeds.

Men must not only know, they must act.

In war, mere appearances have had all the effect of realities; and that a person, under a firm persuasion that he can command resources, virtually has them; that very prospect inspiring him with hope and boldness in his exertions.

After all is said and done, a hell lot of a lot more is said than done.