If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it; for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident

I shall ever repeat it, that mankind are governed not by extremes, but by principals of moderation.

Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done.

There is as yet no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from legislative power and the executrix

Laws, in their most general signification, are the necessary relations arising from the nature of things. In this sense all beings have their laws: the Deity His laws, the material world its laws, the intelligences superior to man their laws, the beasts their laws, man his laws.

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

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise.