Despotism often presents itself as the repairer of all the ills suffered, the support of just rights, defender of the oppressed, and founder of order.

Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort.

The more government takes the place of associations, the more will individuals lose the idea of forming associations and need the government to come to their help. That is a vicious circle of cause and effect.

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

everybody feels the evil, but no one has courage or energy enough to seek the cure

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.

What is most important for democracy is not that great fortunes should not exist, but that great fortunes should not remain in the same hands. In that way there are rich men, but they do not form a class.