As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.

Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.

The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents; divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.

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

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours, which come to every one, for hours of delight.

The Ottoman Empire whose sick body was not supported by a mild and regular diet, but by a powerful treatment, which continually exhausted it.

Men in excess of happiness or misery are equally inclined to severity. Witness conquerors and monks! It is mediocrity alone, and a mixture of prosperous and adverse fortune that inspire us with lenity and pity.