Scrupulous people are not suited to great affairs.

Gold and silver are constituted, by the nature of things, money, and universal money, independent of all convention, and of all laws.

The earth has been cultivated before it has been divided; the cultivation itself having been the only motive for a division, and for that law which secures to every one his property. For the first persons who have employed themselves in cultivation, have probably worked as much land as their strength would permit, and, consequently, more than was necessary for their own nourishment.

The expenses of government, having for their object the interest of all, should be borne by everyone, and the more a man enjoys the advantages of society, the more he ought to hold himself honored in contributing to those expenses.

Every soil does not produce every material.

Eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis. He snatched the lightning from the sky and the sceptre from tyrants.

The whole mass of humanity . . . marches constantly, though slowly, toward greater perfection.