The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.

The spirit of commerce... renders every man willing to live on his own property...& prevents the growth of luxury.

The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents; divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.

The life of man is but a succession of vain hopes and groundless fears.

Honor sets all the parts of the body politic in motion, and by its very action connects them; thus each individual advances the public good, while he only thinks of promoting his own interest.

Friendship is an arrangement by which we undertake to exchange small favors for big ones.