"Men have their virtues and their vices, their heroisms and their perversities; men are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but possess and practice all that there is of good and bad here below. Such is the general rule. Temperament, education, the accidents of life, are modifying factors. Outside of this, everything is ordered arrangement, everything is chance. Such has been my rule of expectation and it has usually brought me success."

“A constitution should be framed so as not to impede the action of government, nor force the government to its violation.”

“The superior man is never in anyone's way.”

“Obedience to public authority ought not to be based either on ignorance or stupidity.”

“Never march by flank in front of an army in position. This principle is absolute.”

“Tristan is very idle. He confessed to the Emperor that he did not work every day. "Do you not eat every day?" said the Emperor to him; "Yes, Sire." "Well, then, you ought to work every day; no one should eat who does not work." "Oh! if that be the case, I will work every day," said the child, quickly. "Such is the influence of the belly," said the Emperor, tapping that of little Tristan. "It is hunger that makes the world move.”

“England will repent of bringing the Russians so far: they will deprive her of India.”