16. It is as dangerous, and almost as criminal, with princes, to have the power of doing good, as the will of doing evil.
17. Timorous minds are much more inclined to deliberate than to resolve.
18. It appears ridiculous to assert, but it is not the less true, that at Paris, during the popular commotions, the most violent will not quit their homes past a stated hour.
19. Flexibility is the most requisite qualification for the management of great affairs.
20. It is more difficult for the member of a faction to live with those of his own party, than to act against those who oppose it.
21. The greatest dangers have their allurements, if the want of success is likely to be attended with a degree of glory. Middling dangers are horrid, when the loss of reputation is the inevitable consequence of ill success.
22. Violent measures are always dangerous, but when necessary, may then be looked upon as wise. They have, however, the advantage of never being matter of indifferency; and, when well concerted, must be decisive.
23. There may be circumstances, in which even prudence directs us to trust entirely to chance.
24. Everything in this world has its critical moment, and the height of good conduct consists in knowing and seizing it.
25. Profligacy, joined to ridicule, forms the most abominable and most dangerous of all characters.