In a republic there is no coercive force as in other governments, the laws must therefore endeavor to supply this defect.

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

The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect.

If we only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.

Better it is to say that the government most comfortable to nature is that which best agrees with the humor and disposition of the people in whose favor it is established.

I like peasants-they are not sophisticated enough to reason speciously.

Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty.