When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning.

The government will take the fairest of names, but the worst of realities--mob rule.

If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle, unprofitable tale.

A good general not only sees the way to victory he also knows when victory is impossible.

For peace, with justice and honor, is the fairest and most profitable of possessions, but with disgrace and shameful cowardice, it is the most infamous and harmful of all.

The glorious memory of brave men is continually renewed the fame of those who have performed any noble deed is never allowed to die and the renown of those who have done good service to their country becomes a matter of common knowledge to the multitude, and part of the heritage of posterity.

On any occasion when one can discover the cause of events, one should not resort to the gods.

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories.

Monarchy degenerates into tyranny, aristocracy into oligarchy, and democracy into savage violence and chaos.

Knowing how to win is the first step. We must also know how to make use of our victories.

From this I conclude that the best education for the situations of actual life consists of the experience we acquire from the study of serious history. For it is history alone which without causing us harm enables us to judge what is the best course in any situation or circumstance.