Virtue is necessary to a republic.

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

Men in excess of happiness or misery are equally inclined to severity. Witness conquerors and monks! It is mediocrity alone, and a mixture of prosperous and adverse fortune that inspire us with lenity and pity.

The history of commerce is that of the communication of the people.

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours, which come to every one, for hours of delight.

Vanity and pride of nations; vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous.

We ought to be very cautious in the prosecution of magic and heresy. The attempt to put down these two crimes may be extremely perilous to liberty, and may be the origin of a number of petty acts of tyranny if the legislator be not on his guard; for as such an accusation does not bear directly on the overt acts of a citizen, but refers to the idea we entertain of his character.