Politics… is the capacity to choose in each fleeting moment of the situation that which is least harmful or most opportune… With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a pirate I try to be a pirate and a half.

On what principle is it, that when we see nothing but improvement behind us, we are to expect nothing but deterioration before us?

Whatever happens will be for the worse, and therefore it is in our interest that as little should happen as possible.