What unhappy beings men are! They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears, and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with, and phantoms which lead them astray.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.

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 never listen to calumnies, because if they are untrue I run the risk of being deceived, and if they be true, of hating persons not worth thinking about.

The harshest tyranny is that which acts under the protection of legality and the banner of justice.

Liberty... is there only when there is no abuse of power.