The regime which is destroyed by a revolution is almost always an improvement on its immediate predecessor, and experience teaches that the most critical moment for bad governments is the one which witnesses their first steps toward reform.

In the United States, if a political character attacks a sect, this may not prevent even the partisans of that very sect, from supporting him; but if he attacks all the sects together, every one abandons him and he remains alone.

The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.

It is far more important to resist apathy than anarchy or despotism, for apathy can give rise, almost indifferently, to either one.

There is no philosopher in the world so great but he believes a million things on the faith of other people and accepts a great many more truths than he demonstrates.

The most durable monument of human labor is that which recalls the wretchedness and nothingness of man.

Despotism may be able to do without religion, but democracy cannot.