It is necessary from the very nature of things that power should be a check to power.

Vanity and pride of nations; vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous.

The public business must be carried on with a certain motion, neither too quick nor too slow.

An injustice to one is a threat made to all

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.

There is only one thing that can form a bond between men, and that is gratitude... we cannot give someone else greater power over us than we have ourselves.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.