Raise yourself above yourself; look into, examine everything with attention.

Compare the success of the war with the evils which it brings in its train.

Weigh in a balance the good effects and the evil, and you will say with Hannibal, that an hour is sufficient to destroy the work of many years.
"The renown of your country is more ancient than is generally believed.
Several ages before the city of Venice was built, I find not only the name of the Venetians famous, but also that of one of their dukes.

Would you submit to the caprices of fortune a glory acquired for so long a time, and at so great a cost?
You will render a great service to your republic, if, preferring her safety to her glory, you give her incensed and insane populace prudent and useful counsels, instead of offering them brilliant and specious projects.

The wise say that we cannot purchase a virtue more precious than what is bought at the expense of glory.