He was gifted with the sly sharp instinct for self-preservation that passes for wisdom among the rich.

The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.

Religion did not exist for the saving of souls but for the preservation and welfare of society and in all that was necessary to this end every man had to take his part or break with the domestic and political community to which he belonged.

For the victor peace means the preservation of the position of power which he has secured. For the vanquished it means resigning himself to the position left to him.

Nothing is more important in the preservation of peace than to secure among the great mass of the people living under constitutional government a just conception of the rights which their nation has against others and of the duties their nation owes to others.

We remain at peace with all nations and no efforts on my part consistent with the preservation of our rights and the honor of the country shall be spared to maintain a position so consonant to our institutions.

Self-preservation nature's first great law all the creatures except man doth awe.

The right of nature... is the liberty each man hath to use his own power as he will himself for the preservation of his own nature that is to say of his own life.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.