All passions that suffer themselves to be relished — Montaigne

There is scarcely any less bother in the running of a family than in that of an entire state. And domestic business is no less importunate for being less important. Essais (1580, ed. M. Rat, 1958) bk. 1, ch. 39 ♥ 2 Some men seem remarkable to the world in whom neither their wives nor their valets saw anything extraordinary. Few men have been admired by their servants. If virtue cannot shine bright, but by the conflict of contrary appetites, shall we then say that she cannot subsist without the assistance of vice, and that it is from her that she derives her reputation and honor? The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor, causes a war between princes.

If you can't convince them, confuse them. Harry S. Truman There’s one way to find out if a man is honest—ask him. If he says, “Yes,” you know he is a crook. Groucho Marx Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized. Albert Einstein Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived. Abraham Lincoln