The quote database

princes ought to leave affairs of reproach to the management of others, and keep those of grace in their own hands

Therefore, if he who rules a principality cannot recognize evils until they are upon him, he is not truly wise; and this insight is given to few.

injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer

there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things, because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new

Great men never wait for opportunities; they make them.

Numa's virtue made him so celebrated that he was judged worthy to be king, Lykurgus' made him so great that he did not care to be king.

who did not delay for any formal vote to empower him to do so, but followed him because he was born to command

He who is wise tries to harmonise the wishes that seek for self-gratification with the wish for the social good, and only thus can he realise his higher self.

We cannot expect to make everyone our friend, but we can try to make no one our enemy.

The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.

Let us measure what we will do for others by what they will do for themselves.

With all its defects, delays and inconveniences, men have discovered no technique for long preserving free government except that the Executive be under the law, and that the law be made by parliamentary deliberations.

Presidential powers are not fixed but fluctuate, depending upon their disjunction or conjunction with those of Congress.

They meant that public officers should owe their whole service to the Government and to the people.

Difficult and embarrassing questions meet us at the threshold of this subject.

he should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves the country best

It is during our most challenging and uncertain moments that our Nation's commitment to due process is most severely tested; and it is in those times that we must preserve our commitment at home to the principles for which we fight abroad.

Much has been given us, and much will rightfully be expected from us.

our responsibility is heavy, to ourselves, to the world as it is to-day, and to the generations yet unborn

Alas, we have known Times call loudly enough for their great man; but not find him when they called!

Universal History, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here.

I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make

When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground.

Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?

I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois, but I had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do; I kept right on.