If you run after wit, you will succeed in catching folly.

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.

It is requisite the government be so constituted as one man need not be afraid of another.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

Trade is the best cure for prejudice.

A prince who loves and fears religion is a lion who stoops to the hand that strokes or to the voice that appeases him. He who fears and hates religion is like the savage beast that growls and bites the chain, which prevents his flying on the passenger. He who has no religion at all is that terrible animal who perceives his liberty only when he tears in pieces, and when he devours.

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