By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them.

Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The almost insoluble task is to let neither the power of others, nor our own powerlessness, stupefy us.

A criminal may improve and become a decent member of society. A foreigner cannot improve. Once a foreigner, always a foreigner. There is no way out for him.

I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.

France has neither winter, summer, nor morals—apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country.

No man has any natural authority over his fellow man.

In settling an island, the first building erected by a Spaniard will be a church, by a Frenchman a fort, by a Dutchman a warehouse, and by an Englishman an alehouse.

One of the most time-consuming things is to have an enemy.