Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.

What orators lack in depth they make up for in length.

There have never been so many civil wars as in the Kingdom of Christ.

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.

When a government lasts a long while, it deteriorates by insensible degrees. Republics end through luxury, monarchies through poverty.

When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a despotic government.

The laws do not take upon them to punish any other than overt acts.