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. Hugo Grotius More Quotes by Hugo Grotius More Quotes From Hugo Grotius 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 Hugo Grotius passion family leadership By undertaking many things, I have accomplished nothing. Hugo Grotius accomplished understanding A state is a perfect body of free men, united together to enjoy common rights and advantages. Hugo Grotius rights perfect men Liberty is the power that we have over ourselves. Hugo Grotius liberty I saw in the whole Christian world a license of fighting at which even barbarous nations might blush. Wars were begun on trifling pretexts or none at all, and carried on without any reference of law, Divine or human. Hugo Grotius fighting christian war Even God cannot make two times two not make four. Hugo Grotius four two I have spent my life laboriously doing nothing. Hugo Grotius doing-nothing last-words labor Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom. Hugo Grotius subjects certain ignorance Tis long ere time can mitigate your grief; Hugo Grotius relief grief long