"It is only with prudence, sagacity, and much dexterity that great aims are accomplished, and all obstacles surmounted. Otherwise nothing is accomplished."

"In politics nothing is immutable. Events carry within them an invincible power. The unwise destroy themselves in resistance. The skillful accept events, take strong hold of them and direct them."

"I do not believe it is in our nature to love impartially. We deceive ourselves when we think we can love two beings, even our own children, equally. There is always a dominant affection."

"In love the only safety is in flight."

"The best way to keep one's word is not to give it."

"It is not necessary to prohibit or encourage oddities of conduct which are not harmful."

"One must learn to forgive and not to hold a hostile, bitter attitude of mind, which offends those about us and prevents us from enjoying ourselves; one must recognize human shortcomings and adjust himself to them rather than to be constantly finding fault with them."

"Simpletons talk of the past, wise men of the present, and fools of the future."

"The fool has one great advantage over a man of sense — he is always satisfied with himself."

"How many seemingly impossible things have been accomplished by resolute men because they had to do, or die."

"True character stands the test of emergencies. Do not be mistaken, it is weakness from which the awakening is rude."

"There is nothing so imperious as feebleness which feels itself supported by force."

"Ordinarily men exercise their memory much more than their judgment."

"It is not true that men never change; they change for the worse, as well as for the better. It is not true they are ungrateful; more often the benefactor rates his favors higher than their worth; and often too he does not allow for circumstances. If few men have the moral force to resist impulses, most men do carry within themselves the germs of virtues as well as of vices, of heroism as well as of cowardice. Such is human nature — education and circumstances do the rest."

"One is more certain to influence men, to produce more effect on them, by absurdities than by sensible ideas."

"It is a mistake, too, to say that the face is the mirror of the soul. The truth is, men are very hard to know, and yet, not to be deceived, we must judge them by their present actions, but for the present only."

"Man achieves in life only by commanding the capabilities nature has given him, or by creating them within himself by education and by knowing how to profit by the difficulties encountered."

"To do all that one is able to do, is to be a man; to do all that one would like to do, would be to be a god."

"What are we? What is the future? What is the past? What magic fluid envelops us and hides from us the things it is most important for us to know? We are born, we live, and we die in the midst of the marvelous."

"Imagination governs the world."

"The great mass of society are far from being depraved; for if a large majority were criminal or inclined to break the laws, where would the force or power be to prevent or constrain them? And herein is the real blessing of civilization, because this happy result has its origin in her bosom, growing out of her very nature."

"Whatever misanthropists may say, ingrates and the perverse are exceptions in the human species."

"Men have their virtues and their vices, their heroisms and their perversities; men are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but possess and practice all that there is of good and bad here below. Such is the general rule. Temperament, education, the accidents of life, are modifying factors. Outside of this, everything is ordered arrangement, everything is chance. Such has been my rule of expectation and it has usually brought me success."

"Necessity dominates inclination, will, and right."

"Destiny urges me to a goal of which I am ignorant. Until that goal is attained I am invulnerable, unassailable. When Destiny has accomplished her purpose in me, a fly may suffice to destroy me."

"A congress of the powers is deceit agreed on between diplomats — it is the pen of Machiavelli combined with the scimitar of Mahomet."

"The man fitted for affairs and authority never considers individuals, but things and their consequences."

"It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity, that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds."

"From triumph to downfall is but a step. I have seen a trifle decide the most important issues in the gravest affairs."

"Never depend on the multitude, full of instability and whims; always take precautions against it."

"One must indeed be ignorant of the methods of genius to suppose that it allows itself to be cramped by forms. Forms are for mediocrity, and it is fortunate that mediocrity can act only according to routine. Ability takes its flight unhindered."

"Impatience is a great obstacle to success; he who treats everything with brusqueness gathers nothing, or only immature fruit which will never ripen."

"As a rule it is circumstances that make men."

"Success is the most convincing talker in the world."

"There are so many laws that no one is safe from hanging."

"Who saves his country violates no law."

"The superior man is never in anyone's way."

"Audacity succeeds as often as it fails; in life it has an even chance."

"There are only two forces that unite men — fear and interest. All great revolutions originate in fear, for the play of interests does not lead to accomplishment."

"If you make everything difficult, the really hard things seem less so."

"You cannot treat with all the world at once."

"The life of a citizen is the property of his country."

"Many a one commits a reprehensible action, who is at bottom an honourable man, because man seldom acts upon natural impulse, but from some secret passion of the moment which lies hidden and concealed within the narrowest folds of his heart."

"Greatness is nothing unless it be lasting."

"A King should sacrifice the best affections of his heart for the good of his country; no sacrifice should be above his determination."

"A king is sometimes obliged to commit crimes; but they are the crimes of his position."

"A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves."

"A great people may be killed, but they cannot be intimidated."

"A Government protected by foreigners will never be accepted by a free people."

"Sometimes a great example is necessary to all the public functionaries of the state."