Brutes are deprived of the high advantages which we have; but they have some which we have not. They have not our hopes, but theyare without our fears; they are subject like us to death, but without knowing it; even most of them are more attentive than we to self-preservation, and do not make so bad a use of their passions.

Every man who has power is impelled to abuse it.

The Ottoman Empire whose sick body was not supported by a mild and regular diet, but by a powerful treatment, which continually exhausted it.

Wonderful maxim: not to talk of things any more after they are done.

Knowledge humanizes mankind, and reason inclines to mildness; but prejudices eradicate every tender disposition.

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.

The incomparable stupidity of life teaches us to love our parents; divine philosophy teaches us to forgive them.