I call him free who is led solely by reason.

I would warn you that I do not attribute to nature either beauty or deformity, order or confusion. Only in relation to our imagination can things be called beautiful or ugly, well-ordered or confused.

...The body is affected by the image of the thing, in the same way as if the thing were actually present.

Hatred is increased by being reciprocated, and can on the other hand be destroyed by love.

He who regulates everything by laws, is more likely to arouse vices than reform them.

He whose honor depends on the opinion of the mob must day by day strive with the greatest anxiety, act and scheme in order to retain his reputation. For the mob is varied and inconsistent, and therefore if a reputation is not carefully preserved it dies quickly.

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.