I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men toabstain from threats and insulting words toward an enemy, for neither ...diminishes the strength of the enemy; but the one makes him more cautious,and the other increases his hatred of you and makes him

Consistencyis the hobgoblin of little minds.

Grantgraciously what you cannot refuse safely and conciliate those you cannotconquer.

Evil alone has oil for every wheel

All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candour

Words are like spears: Once they leave your lips they can never come back.

Every age thinks its battle the most important of all.

Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government

Nature gave women too much power; the law gives them too little.

Always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits

Almost all four faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them

The oldbelieve everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young knoweverything.