Good Fortune Is The Greatest

Beware Lest In Your Anxiety To Avoid War You Obtain A Master

There Are All Kinds Of Devices Invented For The Protection And Preservation Of Countries: Defensive Barriers, Forts, Trenches, And The Like... But Prudent Minds Have As A Natural Gift One Safeguard Which Is The Common Possession Of All, And This Applies Especially To The Dealings Of Democracies. What Is This Safeguard? Skepticism. This You Must Preserve. This You Must Retain. If You Can Keep This, You Need Fear No Harm.

As A Vessel Is Known By The Sound, Whether It Be Cracked Or Not; So Men Are Proved, By Their Speeches, Whether They Be Wise Or Foolish.

The End Of Wisdom Is Consultation And Deliberation.

Close Alliances With Despots Are Never Safe For Free States.