Quotes from Hugo Grotius

I have spent my life laboriously doing nothing.

Men rush to arms for slight causes, or no cause at all, and once taken up there is no longer any respect for law, divine or human.

A state is a perfect body of free men, united together to enjoy common rights and advantages.

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom.

Tis long ere time can mitigate your grief; To wisdom fly, she quickly brings relief.

Not to know certain things is a great part of wisdom.

There is none of you who would not publicly exclaim that everyone should be moderator and arbitrator in his own matter, who would not command all citizens to use rivers and public places equally and indifferently, who would not with all his power defend the liberty of going hither and thither and trading.

A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot govern a city; he cannot govern a city if he cannot govern a family; he cannot govern a family unless he can govern himself; and he cannot govern himself unless his passions are subject to reason." By understanding many things, I have accomplished nothing." Hugo Grotius

It is no less ancient than a pestilent error wherewith many men (but they chiefly who abound in power and riches) persuade themselves, or (as I think more truly) go about to persuade, that right and wrong are distinguished not according to their own nature but by a certain vain opinion and custom of men.