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

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.

As virtue is necessary in a republic, and honor in a monarchy, fear is what is required in a despotism. As for virtue, it is not at all necessary, and honor would be dangerous there.

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

The public business must be carried on with a certain motion, neither too quick nor too slow.

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

If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it; for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident