It is clear that in a monarchy, where he who commands the exceution of the laws generally thinks himself above them, there is lessneed of virtue than in a popular government, where the person entrusted with the execution of the laws is sensible of his being subject to their direction.

Christians are beginning to lose the spirit of intolerance which animated them: experience has shown the error of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and of the persecution of those Christians in France whose belief differed a little from that of the king. They have realized that zeal for the advancement of religion is different from a due attachment to it; and that in order to love it and fulfil its behests, it is not necessary to hate and persecute those who are opposed to it.

Vanity and pride of nations; vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous.

A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.

Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it.

Sometimes a man who deserves to be looked upon because he is a fool is despised only because he is a lawyer.

Certain kinds of foolishness are such that a greater foolishness would be better.