Thefibers of all things have their tension and are strained like the strings ofan instrument.

Power is something of which I am convinced there is no innocencethis side of the womb.

Snap judgment has a way of becoming unfastened.

Man must not check reason by tradition, but must check tradition by reason.

No one is rich enough to do without neighbour.

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

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did andit never will.

Myinterest is in the future because I'm going to be spending the rest of mylife there.

Power tires only those who do not have it.

A half-truth won for ourselves is worth more than a whole truth learned from others.

If Ishould ever be captured, I want no negotiation—andif I should request a negotiation from captivity they should consider that asign of duress.

Democracy will break under the strain of apronstrings. It can exist only on trust.