Slowness is frequently the cause of much greater slowness.

In a republic there is no coercive force as in other governments, the laws must therefore endeavor to supply this defect.

The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents; divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.

Religious wars are not caused by the fact that there is more than one religion, but by the spirit of intolerance... the spread of which can only be regarded as the total eclipse of human reason.

Men should be bewailed at their birth, and not at their death.

Laws undertake to punish only overt acts.

Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.