It proved that if a republic fails in unity and centralisation, it is unable to defend a continental nationality.
Waves and mountains are the frontiers of the weak--men are the frontiers of a people.

Let us then have done with geography.

It is not geometricians but statesmen who form social constitutions.
Nations have two great interests which reveal to them the form they should take, according to the hour of the national life which they have attained--the instinct of their conservation, and the instinct of their growth.

To act, or be idle, to walk, or sit down, are two acts wholly different, which compel men to assume attitudes wholly diverse.

It is the same with nations.