The spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then it is that the conveniences of inequality... are felt.

In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.

A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

You have to study a great deal to know a little.

I have read descriptions of Paradise that would make any sensible person stop wanting to go there.

Passion makes us feel, but never see clearly.