Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen.

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

It is rare to find learned men who are clean, do not stink and have a sense of humour.

[The Pope] will make the king believe that three are only one, that the bread he eats is not bread... and a thousand other things of the same kind.

We receive three educations, one from our parents, one from our school-masters, and one from the world. The third contradicts all that the first two teach us.

The crime against nature will never make any great progress in society unless people are prompted to it by some particular custom.

It is always the adventurous who accomplish great things.