It is usually the case with most men that their nature is so constituted that they pity those who fare badly and envy those who fare well.

If men were born free, they would, so long as they remained free, form no conception of good and evil.

Care of the poor is incumbent on society as a whole.

He who lives according to the guidance of reason strives as much as possible to repay the hatred, anger, or contempt of others towards himself with love or generosity. ...hatred is increased by reciprocal hatred, and, on the other hand, can be extinguished by love, so that hatred passes into love.

Better that right counsels be known to enemies than that the evil secrets of tyrants should be concealed from the citizens. They who can treat secretly of the affairs of a nation have it absolutely under their authority; and as they plot against the enemy in time of war, so do they against the citizens in time of peace.

The virtue of a free man appears equally great in refusing to face difficulties as in overcoming them.

If anyone conceives that he is loved by another, and believes that he has given no cause for such love, he will love that other in return.