There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion.

Society is the union of men and not the men themselves.

Liberty is the right of doing whatever the laws permit.

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

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

Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.

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.