...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost.

In the infancy of societies, the chiefs of state shape its institutions; later the institutions shape the chiefs of state.

I should like to abolish funerals; the time to mourn a person is at his birth, not his death.

It is unreasonable ... to oblige a man not to attempt the defense of his own life.

The spirit of commerce... renders every man willing to live on his own property...& prevents the growth of luxury.

The law of nations is naturally founded on this principle, that different nations ought in time of peace to do one another all the good they can, and in time of war as little injury as possible, without prejudicing their real interests.

If triangles had a god, he would have three sides.