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

“Ordinarily men exercise their memory much more than their judgment.”

“Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.”

“More glorious to merit a sceptre than to possess one.”

“At the beginning of a campaign it is important to consider whether or not to move forward; but when one has taken the offensive it is necessary to maintain it to the last extremity. However skilfully effected a retreat may be, it always lessens the morale of an army, since in losing the chances of success, they are remitted to the enemy. A retreat, moreover, costs much more in men and materials than the bloodiest engagements, with this difference, also, that in a battle the enemy loses practically as much as you do; while in a retreat you lose and he does not.”

“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”

“To write history one must be more than a man, since the author who holds the pen of this great justiciary must be free from all preoccupation of interest or vanity.”