The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.

O, it is excellent To have a giants strength; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant.

The eagle suffers little birds to sing.

Power, like a desolating pestilence, Pollutes whate'er it touches.

Legions and fleets are not such sure bulwarks of imperial power as a numerous family

Power takes as ingratitude the writhing of its victims.

It is natural for men to want power. But to seek power actively takes a temperament baffling to both the simple and the wise. The simple cannot fathom how any man would dare presume to prevail, while the wise are amazed that any reasonable man would want the world, assuming he could get it.

True power and true politeness are above vanity.

Offices are not powerful because they exist; men make them so. Rights are not honored because they exist; men compel their recognition.

There is no need to fear the strong. All one needs is to know the method of overcoming them. There is a special jujitsu for every strong man.