It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires.

People here argue about religion interminably, but it appears that they are competing at the same time to see who can be the least devout.

Republics end through luxury; monarchies through poverty.

The wickedness of mankind makes it necessary for the law to suppose them better than they really are.

Love of the republic in a democracy, is a love of the democracy; love of the democracy is that of equality. Love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality.

Christians are beginning to lose the spirit of intolerance which animated them: experience has shown the error of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and of the persecution of those Christians in France whose belief differed a little from that of the king. They have realized that zeal for the advancement of religion is different from a due attachment to it; and that in order to love it and fulfil its behests, it is not necessary to hate and persecute those who are opposed to it.

To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight.