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

Fain would I glide down a gentle river, but I am carried away by a torrent.

If you run after wit, you will succeed in catching folly.

There is still another inconvenieney in conquests made by democracies; their government is ever odious to the conquered states. It is apparently monarchical, but in reality it is more oppressive than monarchy, as the experience of all ages and countries evinces.

If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman... because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.

I have ever held it as a maxim never to do that through another which it was impossible for me to execute myself

Liberty... is there only when there is no abuse of power.