The success of most things depends upon knowing how long it will take to succeed.

I shall ever repeat it, that mankind are governed not by extremes, but by principals of moderation.

The majority of men are more capable of great actions than of good ones.

The alms given to a naked man in the street do not fulfil the obligations of the state, which owes to every citizen a certain subsistence, a proper nourishment, convenient clothing, and a kind of life not incompatible with health.

In the state of nature... all men are born equal, but they cannot continue in this equality. Society makes them lose it, and they recover it only by the protection of the law.

Slavery, properly so called, is the establishment of a right which gives to one man such a power over another as renders him absolute master of his life and fortune.

Power ought to serve as a check to power.