12. A veil ought always to be drawn over whatever may be said or thought concerning the rights of the people, or of kings; which agree best when least mentioned.[58] 13. There are, at times, situations so very unfortunate, that whatever is undertaken must be wrong. Chance, alone, never throws people into such dilemmas; and they happen only to those who bring them upon themselves. 14. It is more unbecoming a minister to say, than to do, silly things. 15. The advice given to a minister, by an obnoxious person, is always thought bad. 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. 26. Weak minds never yield when they ought. 27. Variety of sights have the greatest effect upon the mob, and also upon numerous assemblies, who, in many respects, resemble mobs. 28. Examples taken from past times have infinitely more power over the minds of men, than any of the age in which they live. Whatever we see, grows familiar; and perhaps the consulship of Caligula’s horse might not have astonished us so much as we are apt to imagine. 29. Weak minds are commonly overpowered by clamor. 30. We ought never to contend for what we are not likely to obtain. 31. The instant in which we receive the most favorable accounts, is just that wherein we ought to redouble our vigilance, even in regard to the most trifling circumstances. 32. It is dangerous to have a known influence over people; as thereby we become responsible even for what is done against our will. 33. One of the greatest difficulties in civil war is, that more art is required to know what should be concealed from our friends, than what ought to be done against our enemies.