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.