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

Vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous. To be convinced of this we need only represent, on the one hand,the numberless benefits which result from vanity, as industry, the arts, fashions, politeness, and taste; and on the other, the infinite evils which spring from the pride of certain nations, a laziness, poverty, a total neglect of everything.

Democracy is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is corrupted, but likewise when they fall into a spirit of extreme equality.

Politics are a smooth file, which cuts gradually, and attains its end by slow progression.

Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.

Friendship is a contract in which we render small services in expectation of big ones.

The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver.