Brutes are deprived of the high advantages which we have; but they have some which we have not. They have not our hopes, but theyare without our fear….

Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty..

If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier that other people, and this is always difficult, for we ….

Virtue has needs of limits..

We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school-masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two ….

The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded..

Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it..

Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth)..

We ought to be very cautious and circumspect in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilo….

Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have….

The severity of the laws prevents their execution..

Democracy is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is corrupted, but likewise when they fall into a spirit of extreme equality..

You have to study a great deal to know a little..

I shall ever repeat it, that mankind are governed not by extremes, but by principals of moderation..

People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout..

I shall be obliged to wander to the right and to the left, that I may investigate and discover the truth..

An injustice to one is a threat made to all.

As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness; equality ceases, and then commences the state of war..

Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people..

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community..

It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour..