When we seek after wit, we discover only foolishness.

A man who writes well writes not as others write, but as he himself writes; it is often in speaking badly that he speaks well.

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

Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.

We ought to be very cautious in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty, and may be the origin of a number of petty acts of tyranny if the legislator be not on his guard; for as such an accusation does not bear directly on the overt acts of a citizen, but refers to the idea we entertain of his character.

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.

Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.