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

When we seek after wit, we discover only foolishness.

Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments.

It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.

Republics come to an end by luxurious habits; monarchies by poverty.

There is only one thing that can form a bond between men, and that is gratitude... we cannot give someone else greater power over us than we have ourselves.

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.