Not to be loved is a misfortune, but it is an insult to be loved no longer.

Nature is just to all mankind, and repays them for their industry. She renders them industrious by annexing rewards in proportion to their labor.

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.

The pagan religion, which prohibited only some of the grosser crimes, and which stopped the hand but meddled not with the heart, might have crimes that were inexplicable.

Liberty itself has appeared intolerable to those nations who have not been accustomed to enjoy it.

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours, which come to every one, for hours of delight.

I have always observed that to succeed in the world one should seem a fool, but be wise.