Virtue in a republic is the love of one's country, that is the love of equality.

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.

Talent is a gift which God has given us secretly, and which we reveal without perceiving it.

The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease.

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

There should be weeping at a man's birth, not at his death.

Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.