No alliance is safe which is made with the wicked, if they be superior
to us in power. The most solemn treaties will be disregarded as soon as
they can be broken with advantage. Powerful potentates, when they are
regardless of moral obligation, and consider might only to be right,
will never want specious pretences to furbish out their declarations
of war, nor hesitate about inveigling less powerful states to join
them, and after subduing the enemy, and seizing upon the spoils, will
fall upon their allies on the slightest pretences, or for no better
reason but because they are powerful enough to do so. No man ought to
be entrusted with unlimited power; and when a community has been stupid
enough to put the management of their affairs into such hands, they
have ever found their confidence abused, and their property invaded.
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