A love of the republic in a democracy is a love of the democracy, as the latter is that of equality. A love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Since every individual ought here to enjoy the same happiness, and the same advantages, they should consequently taste the same pleasures and form the same hopes, which cannot be expected but from a general frugality.

There is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies; their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it and avarice possesses the whole community.

If triangles had a god, he would have three sides.

As men are affected in all ages by the same passions, the occasions which bring about great changes are different, but the causes are always the same.

Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.

Countries are not cultivated in proportion to their fertility, but to their liberty.