“We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction”

“once upon a time all the rivers combined to protest against the action of the sea in making their waters salt. "When we come to you," sad they to the sea, "we are sweet and drinkable; but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own." The sea replied shortly, "Keep away from me, and you'll remain sweet.”

“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.”

“He that always gives way to others will end in having no principles of his own. ”

“It is absurd to ape our betters.”

“It is with our passions, as it is with fire and water, they are good servants but bad masters.”

“Persuasion is often more effectual than force.”