Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.

Just men, by whom impartial laws were given;
And saints who taught and led the way to heaven.

Though their life was modest, they believed in eating well.

And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.

The manners of our fore-fathers were, I believe, in many respects better: they had more probity perhaps, they had certainly more show of honour, and greater industry.

Decent easy men, who supinely enjoyed the gifts of the founder.

There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters

[T]he bond which united them, if their critics were to be believed, might be a tranquil consciousness of effortless superiority.

Let me repeat, gentlemen, that a right-minded and true-hearted statesman who has had as much sovereign power placed in his hands as you have placed in mine should regard himself as the servant of the Senate; and often of the people as a whole; and sometimes of private citizens, too. I do not regret this view, because I have always found you to be generous, just, and indulgent masters.

He kept the middle way, that's all: he was the type of man for whom one has an affection of the mild but steady order - which is the kind that wears best.

Government by Monks, who knew nothing of the world beyond the walls of a Convent, is as consistent as government by Kings.

all remained loyal to him, not because they always agreed with him, but because the regent listened to and respected different opinions.

So tractable, so peaceable are these people that I swear to your Majesties there is not in the world a better nation. They love their neighbors as themselves, and their discourse is ever sweet and gentle and accompanied with a smile; and though it is true that they are naked, yet their manners are decorous and praiseworthy.

The ordinary people … are upright and honourable... They are faithful to their oaths and promises... In their behavior there is much gentleness and sweetness.