“If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.”
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The law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests.
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There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic.
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Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.
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Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.
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The deterioration of a government begins almost always by the decay of its principles.
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