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In doubtful cases the more liberal interpretation must always be preferred.
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To live is to think.
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Death is not natural for a state as it is for a human being, for whom death is not only necessary, but frequently even desirable.
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No one was ever great without some portion of divine inspiration.
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Laws are silent in time of war.
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The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.
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I never heard of an old man forgetting where he had buried his money! Old people remember what interests them: the dates fixed for their lawsuits, and the names of their debtors and creditors.
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Rather leave the crime of the guilty unpunished than condemn the innocent.
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If I err in belief that the souls of men are immortal, I gladly err, nor do I wish this error which gives me pleasure to be wrested from me while I live.
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So near is falsehood to truth that a wise man would do well not to trust himself on the narrow edge.
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The best interpreter of the law is custom.
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According to the law of nature it is only fair that no one should become richer through damages and injuries suffered by another.
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It is the nature of every person to error, but only the fool perseveres in error.
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In honorable dealing you should consider what you intended, not what you said or thought.
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Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
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No obligation to do the impossible is binding.
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It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.
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Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms nature.
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As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind.
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Next to God we are nothing. To God we are Everything.
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The eyes like sentinel occupy the highest place in the body.
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I add this, that rational ability without education has oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without natural ability.
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Let us not listen to those who think we ought to be angry with our enemies, and who believe this to be great and manly. Nothing is so praiseworthy, nothing so clearly shows a great and noble soul, as clemency and readiness to forgive.
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Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind.