Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness; equality ceases, and then commences the state of war.

When the [law making] and [law enforcement] powers are united in the same person... there can be no liberty.

Vitam Impendere Vero (I consecrate my life to truth).

In the state of nature... all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law.

They who love to inform themselves, are never idle. Though I have no business of consequence to take care of, I am nevertheless continually employed. I spend my life in examining things: I write down in the evening whatever I have remarked, what I have seen, and what I have heard in the day: every thing engages my attention, and every thing excites my wonder: I am like an infant, whose organs, as yet tender, are strongly affected by the slightest objects.

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