Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people.

Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.

They who love to inform themselves, are never idle. Though I have no business of consequence to take care of, I am nevertheless continually employed. I spend my life in examining things: I write down in the evening whatever I have remarked, what I have seen, and what I have heard in the day: every thing engages my attention, and every thing excites my wonder: I am like an infant, whose organs, as yet tender, are strongly affected by the slightest objects.

But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.

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

Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free.

As soon as man enters into a state of society he loses the sense of his weakness; equality ceases, and then commences the state of war.