Power should be a check on power.

If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier that other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are. you are comparing your lot with an ideal which is of course better and therefore you feel worse

A prince who loves and fears religion is a lion who stoops to the hand that strokes or to the voice that appeases him. He who fears and hates religion is like the savage beast that growls and bites the chain, which prevents his flying on the passenger. He who has no religion at all is that terrible animal who perceives his liberty only when he tears in pieces, and when he devours.

There is a very good saying that if triangles invented a god, they would make him three-sided.

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.

A good writer does not write as people write, but as he writes.

The state of slavery is in its own nature bad.