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

As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.

The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded.

The laws do not take upon them to punish any other than overt acts.

Mediocrity is a hand-rail.

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.

An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.