The English are busy folk; they have no time in which to be polite.

The power of divorce can be given only to those who feel the inconveniences of marriage, and who are sensible of the moment when it is for their interest to make them cease.

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

I never listen to calumnies, because if they are untrue I run the risk of being deceived, and if they be true, of hating persons not worth thinking about.

The spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then it is that the conveniences of inequality... are felt.

There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.

The culminating point of administration is to know well how much power, great or small, we ought to use in all circumstances.